Print Preview : World Tourism Organization and Greece discuss closer cooperation

World Tourism Organization and Greece discuss closer cooperation
The Greek tourism authorities had the opportunity to discuss a cooperation framework with the Secretary General of World Tourism Organization on how to build closer ties between UNWTO and the Greek Ministry of Tourism.

As Mrs. Petralia, the Greek Minister of Tourism Development said “We are starting a new cooperation with the World Tourism Organization which will be formed in the coming years.”

TravelDailyNews asked Mr. Frangialli to comment on the cooperation framework between the two organizations. “We are hoping to define a more comprehensive cooperation between Greece and World Tourism Organization in the fields of sustainability, development, human resources. UNWTO will be in Greece and we expect to expand this framework in to other fields of the tourism industry with Greek tourism authorities,” said Mr. Frangialli.

Highlighting the key issues of the cooperation between WTO and GNTO, Mr. Frangialli added “The information we have for the year 2006 in international level is good. We expect an increase 5% of international arrivals so in the near future the problem will be linked to that we will expect this growth to be continued but at the same time we must give pressure to sustainability highlighting the environment, biodiversity, natural sites. Sustainability will be the key fact. We have discussed also with Petralia to spread the tourism product better in the Northern parts of Greece and also the cases of crisis management and we have a good experience in that field in UNWTO so my regional representative in Europe will come to Greece and will meet the Minister and staff and the people in the tourism industry to define the possible period for this cooperation.”

He also mentioned Philoxenia and left the possibility open for UNWTO’s presence in the exhibition next year. “I have been there twice. We will be pleased to do something in Philoxenia in the near future or perhaps next year.”

As far as the UNWTO’s General Assembly is concerned, Mr. Frangialli said that he didn’t receive any proposal from the Minister to hold it in Greece. “Maybe this will come in the near future. Next year we will have our General Assembly in Latin America, Colombia and two years later it will be in Europe so there is a potential for Greece.”

Commenting on the announcements of Mrs. Petralia for the increase of the 30% in tourists’ arrivals in Greece next year, Frangialli stressed “The international levels will be of an increase of 4-5% this year. Many destinations are facing problems in achieving great numbers but this estimation will be great for Greece if it can be achieved.” Michael Verikios - Monday, November 20, 2006