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Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis conveyed his support for the Athens-Attica Hotel Association with a letter he sent to Special Olympics 2011 chairman Joanna Despotopoulou, calling for a re-evaluation of her decision to exclude hotels located within the city`s Commercial Centre from suggested athlete accommodation.
Mayor Kaklamanis considers the hoteliers` objections to be legitimate and fair and, in his letter, describes the decision as a “mistake”, noting that “tourism is a valuable element of our city`s economic development, while modern-day Athens is a safe and lively European city”.
Mayor Kaklamanis` letter to Ms Despotopoulou says;
"Dear Ms Despotopoulou,
The fact that our city is hosting the Special Olympics 2011 is of great importance and will contribute decisively to the return of Athens to the international spotlight. Six years after the successful organisation of the 2004 Olympic Games, the city of Athens once again welcomes young athletes from around the world and, once again, will have the opportunity to demonstrate its special hospitality (philoxenia).
Within this context and taking into account the global crisis which is plaguing our land in these difficult times we are living, it would be a mistake to exclude an entire area of Athens, namely the Commercial Centre which constitutes a unique tourist attraction in itself. We do not agree with the exclusion of accommodation located in the centre of the host city, as requested via your document, and would like you to take into serious consideration the letter sent to you by the chairman of the Athens-Attica Hotel Association. As you are aware, tourism is a valuable element of our city`s economic development, while modern-day Athens is a safe and lively European city.
Therefore, I ask you to please re-evaluate your decision to exclude hotels situated within the Commercial Centre from suggested accommodation for athletes. "
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
