Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura addressed the Hospitality Forum and Awards Conference with the message that tourism unites Greeks. Quoting Bank of Greece figures she said that Greek tourism was on a good course. In the first quarter of 2015, arrivals rose 45%.

She underlined the ministry’s aim of elongating the tourism season. Refering to the sector’s professionals, she said that the ministry is trying to release European funds that will be allocated to the development of private investments.

Alternative tourism is also being promoted in the hope that new markets will be opened to invigorate the tourist inflow.

TUI Hellas Managing Director Mihalis Mavropoulos took the floor with the pledge that TUI would bring 2.2 million tourists to Greece in 2015 adding that “these numbers could have skyrocketed. Greece’s target should be 35 million tourists in order to compete Turkey on equal terms.”