Tourism minister: First indications are positive

Culture and tourism minister Pavlos Geroulanos on Thursday said that the first indications in the tourism sector are “positive”, speaking to reporters after a meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.

Geroulanos made special mention of the finance minister’s recent decision to reduce the VAT on tourism accommodations, opining that the measure has “given a note of optimism” to the prospects for the new year.

He said everyone has begun to share the view that the recovery in the Greek economy will begin from the tourism sector.

Geroulanos further described countries such as Britain and Germany as being of “particular significant” for the tourist flow this year.

Gov’t iniative to boost tourism in greater Athens area

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos and Attica Regional Governor Yiannis Sgouros on Thursday discussed issues concerning the tourist development of the greater Athens area. The focus was, among others, the “Athens Every Week” programme aimed at promoting the greater Athens as a destination, the upgrading of the increasingly gritty “historic centre”, as well as the Marathon course.

Geroulanos said that the top priority is an increase of tourism in Attica prefecture.