Popular Greek tourism destinations, such as Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Halkidiki etc. have organized a series of events in honor if the 35th anniversary of the World Tourism Day, to be celebrated on September 27.

This day is dedicated to the development of the local communities and holds a special significance for Greece, where tourism has the potential to become a driving force of growth.

On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said on Friday that tourist arrivals have significantly increased this year, adding that the country’s image in the international markets has been restored.

“The 2013 increase in arrivals and revenues continues in 2014 and we will pursue further growth in 2015. Athens is once again the protagonist among the tourist capitals,” Ms. Kefalogianni noted.

The Tourism Minister called on the agents of the Greek tourism market to intensify their efforts during the next year. “The increase in tourist arrivals honors us. At the same time, it increases our responsibilities and creates new demands. We must move upwards in order to successfully face our next challenge. The Greek tourism’s renaissance continues,” she underlined.