TUI Travel calls for stability in Greece to protect future growth.
ATHENS – Peter Long, Chief Executive of TUI Travel PLC, one of the world’s leading leisure travel companies, has met with the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, and said the company is aiming to continue its customer growth at a similar level to this year’s 10 percent to help drive a strong economy.
“Last year, when I met the Prime Minister, we committed to increasing passenger numbers by 10 percent. We have achieved that, bringing some two million TUI Travel customers from across all of our source markets, exceeding our best expectations” said Peter Long.
In a speech given to the SETE Annual Conference in Athens, Peter Long continued, “Although, it’s not only about arrival numbers; it’s also about the overall economic and social benefit generated. We support 10,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) here in Greece and as a travel organisation; we make up roughly 10 percent of the total international arrivals in the country. All of this underpins our leading position here. Our target is to build upon this strong position to support further growth in Greece and to drive this Country’s tourism industry to the next level.”
Greece continues to be an important destination for TUI Travel and a key holiday destination in the Mediterranean. In his speech at the SETE Annual Conference, Peter Long called for a greater link between local producers and hotels to help boost local economic spend and increase customer satisfaction; to extend the holiday season; encourage development in the smaller Greek islands; to improve certain infrastructure with regard to regional airports, roads, cruise ports and marinas and invest in its people with modern tourism education to ensure a strong basis for future growth.
The tourism sector in Greece has been a significant driving force of the economic recovery, despite what can still be described as a turbulent environment. This year alone, the tourism sector is expected to see a total of 21.5 million arrivals. According to statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the sector is forecasted to contribute almost 20 percent to the Greece’s GDP this year, supporting 675,000 jobs.
Peter went on to say, “We are committed to supporting Greece. It is of great importance that the Government, along with all of the industry’s professionals, continue to work together to support further growth in Greece within an environment of stability. As a business, we will continue to provide unique holiday experiences using sustainable best practice and working with the local community to boost economic contribution.
“The relationship that we have built with this beautiful country over the last 50 years is a strong one and one that we are proud of. We will continue to invest in the future of Greece, working in close cooperation with the Government. This includes trialling an earlier start to our 2015 Summer Season.”
The SETE Annual Conference was attended by representatives of the Government, the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Associations as well as board members of TUI Travel and hotel partners.
Photo caption (left to right): Mr Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece, Peter Long, Chief Executive of TUI Travel PLC, Ms Olga Kefalogianni, Tourism Minister of Greece.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
