An action plan, entitled “Dodeka”, designed to promote Greece as a year-round tourism destination was launched yesterday by the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (FEDHATTA).
The plan was officially launched yesterday during a special event in Athens attended by Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, politicians, travel agents and other tourism professionals.
President of Travel & Tourist Agencies Hellenic Associations Federation (FEDΗΑΤΤΑ) Lyssandros Tsilides announced the Federation’s absolute committment to promote all-year-round tourism in Greece through the dynamic “Dodeka” concept, in cooperation with all of the country’s forces towards this direction.
Mr. Tsilides described the “Dodeka” (Twelve) dynamic action plan that includes thematic and special interest activities and the promotion of less-known tourism destinations, aiming to enrich the tourism product and expand the season.
“There is no place for conflicts in tourism, but only one word: cooperation” he stressed while urging everybody to join forces for the benefit of Greek tourism.
International toolbox
FEDHATTA president also explained that “Dodeka ” is to be used as a toolbox, not only by Greek tour operators and travel agents, but also by their international network and reveals that the action plan “has been communicated and has already received enthusiastic feedback by all tour operator and travel agencies associations abroad and their members.”
Earlier, in an exclusive interview to TornosNews he had revealed that this action plan will be promoted in all tourism exhibitions and roadshows worldwide so that its communication will be ongoing and consistent, but also for it to take effect as soon as possible as an extra measure for the promotion of Greece worldwide.
“Dodeka” will concentrate on 12 sections in its systematic presentation of Greece as a tourism destination: Active Tour, ARTtour, Authentic Tradition Tour, Cult Tour, DayNight Tour, Food & Wine Tour, Greece NAtour, Green Greece, Meeting Greece, Pilgrimage Tour, Plefsis Tour and Wellness Tour.
Ministerial congratulations
Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura congratulated FEDHATTA on its initiative and noted that “Dodeka” is a comprehensive program for Greek tourism.
She outlined the Tourism Ministry’s strategy which includes the extension of the season, stressed the importance of cooperation among all parties in order to promote a positive image of Greece both domestically and abroad and promised: “We have a strong product and a strong will to actively continue for the good of our tourism and our country.”
Ruling party Syriza’s head of Development, Tourism and NSRF and Dodecanese Islands Prefecture MP Nektarios Santorinios also hailed FEDHATTA’s initiative since it will unite the whole tourism sector and undelined that the country’s SMEs will be those to achieve quality tourism.
Greece Main Opposition New Democracy party’s representative Fotini Arabatzi, responsible for tourism issues and MP for Serres Prefecture, appraised that FEDHATTA’s initiative will actively contribute to the development of tourism in Greece.
The important role of travel agencies
The event’s main speaker was the Chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) Noel Josephides, who announced that he is looking forward to contributing to the federation’s “excellent initiative” and explained the important role of travel agencies in the global tourism market. He focused on new opportunities and challenges for the industry in a timely and insightful speech that was greeted by generous applause.
During the event, the federation honored South Aegean Regional Governor Mr Georgios Hatzimarkos for the tourism promotional campaign “Aegean Islands. Like No Other” as well as the co-founder and president of Argo Travel group, Dimitris Pithis for being a “scholar of tourism”.
FEDHATTA also rewarded ABTA’s president, Noel Josephides, with an honorary award for his continuous support to Greek tourism.
On a separate event, during the previous day, Thessaloniki’s Mayor Yiannis Boutaris was also distinguished for his extraordinary cantribution and impressive progress in the city’s tourism performance.
After the event, the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) held its annual general assembly.
About the Federation of the Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies
The Federation of the Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies, is the official professional body of the sector representing about 2.500 travel agents throughout Greece in the relative national, European and international entities. It was founded in 2002 with the aim to unite and empower the Travel Agencies’ Associations across the country.
The Federation’s main purpose is to emphasize the importance of its members’ role in the country’s tourism industry, as travel agents constitute the network producing and distributing the whole range of tourist services.
Details on the “Dodeka” initiative can be seen here in English.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
