Greece's tourism sector is the hen that lays the golden eggs, according to a recent
The center predicts arrivals will increase by 5% annually up to 2006 when Greece will host some 16.5 million visitors. According to KEPE data, tourism now produces 3.8 trillion drachmas in revenue, or 10% of the country's gross national product.
As well, it employs one-half a million people, brings in $6 billion in foreign exchange receipts and creates the fodder for thousands of small businesses. But the study warns that tourism must rectify several problem areas, such as its short tourism season and its unhealthy attitude toward the environment, in order to confront up and coming competition.
In the meantime, projections for next year are very positive. The center's study foresees some 195 million overnight stays by foreign visitors and about 60 million by domestic travelers – domestic travel is expected to increase by 5.2% annually for the next five years.
If all the above rings true, Greece will require an immediate increase of 150,000 hotel beds, 150,000 beds in auxiliary lodging units and another 22,000 berths in the maritime sector, says the study.
…
Greece's tourism sector is the hen that lays the golden eggs, according to a recent
The center predicts arrivals will increase by 5% annually up to 2006 when Greece will host some 16.5 million visitors. According to KEPE data, tourism now produces 3.8 trillion drachmas in revenue, or 10% of the country's gross national product.
As well, it employs one-half a million people, brings in $6 billion in foreign exchange receipts and creates the fodder for thousands of small businesses. But the study warns that tourism must rectify several problem areas, such as its short tourism season and its unhealthy attitude toward the environment, in order to confront up and coming competition.
In the meantime, projections for next year are very positive. The center's study foresees some 195 million overnight stays by foreign visitors and about 60 million by domestic travelers – domestic travel is expected to increase by 5.2% annually for the next five years.
If all the above rings true, Greece will require an immediate increase of 150,000 hotel beds, 150,000 beds in auxiliary lodging units and another 22,000 berths in the maritime sector, says the study.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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