With a projected 5.4 percent increase in average annual investment rate in Greek tourism in the next 10 years, the country is determined to make it much more attractive to visitors than before. The country of islands ranks 15 in the world for tourism and is considered among the top favorites for overseas visitors. This is mainly because of the many islands one can visit, aside from the rich historic heritage that can be found there.

More than 14 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2005 and this figure is expected to mark a phenomenal increase in the coming 10 years. Greece, as a country, has modernized itself and proven it is a safe destination, a fact that has been acknowledged by the United States and other Western countries.

The Greek Tourism Development Ministry is engaged in drawing up plans aimed to better promote the country internationally. One of them is to promote convention tourism. “We’re focused on giving visitors and tourists a most modern tourism experience,” a Greek tourism official said quoting the country’s Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia.

The impeccable hosting of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the upgrading of infrastructure created a series of advantages capable of attracting convention tourism in the country. “If Greece wants to compete with Cannes, Barcelona, Milan and other well-established convention centers in Europe, it must offer something more and something different to make the offer more competitive. And we’re working in that direction,” he added.

Investment in Greek tourism is expected to reach 5.7 billion euros this year, accounting for about 700,000 jobs, or 15.9 percent of the country’s total jobs. Employment in this sector is projected to rise by 1.5 percent per year over the next decade. “In fact, Greece has tapped just 15 percent of its potential in the tourism sector,” he added.

Greek tourism has been one of the sectors of the country’s economy that has benefited the most from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The event has also further upgraded its image internationally. Following the success of the Games, international hotel chains are seeking to locate their properties in and around Greece. One of them is the Marriot hotel chain, with its Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott saying that it is his corporate policy to expand into specific and promising markets.

Greece is known for its seaside resorts. The islands of Zaynthos and Iraklion are among the many that the country boasts as its favorites for world tourists. Crete, the largest of the Greek islands is beautiful and has many archeological sites to visit, as well as tourist attractions like Knossos and Phaistos. Crete was home to the ancient civilization of the Minoans, from 2600 BC to 1400 BC, and in more recent times gave the world the famous writer, poet and novelist Nikos Kazantakis.

Athens is known as the birthplace of democracy. This ancient city was home to the Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Named after the Greek Mythological figure Athena, Athens is one of the most famous cities in the world, and one of the oldest. As a city state Athens figured prominently in ancient history as well as myths and legends of the ancient world.

The Greek capital, now home to three and a half million people, has been called the cradle of civilization due to the many achievements of its culture. Birthplace of the Olympic Games, Athens is home to art and architecture, including the famous Acropolis.

Honey, olive oil, and sheep herding are just a few of the products that can be sampled fresh if your holiday home is in Thassos. This island figures prominently in ancient history and is named after Thasus, son of Phoenix and leader of the Phoenicians who first settled the island and erected a temple to Heracles.

The tiny Greek Aegean island of Kastellorizo will be swamped with amateur and professional astronomers from around the world on Wednesday (March 29) eager to witness a total solar eclipse, which is visible from the island every 380 years.

The island has been designated by astronomers as one of the best places in the world to view the eclipse, when the moon will pass between the earth and sun, casting a shadow from Brazil, crossing northeast over Africa and Central Asia.

Rooms on the tiny island, which has a local population of 350 inhabitants and is located just east of the popular tourist island of Rhodes, are reportedly fully booked for the event.

A passenger ship, which can accommodate at least 1,000 people, is being sent to the island.

In its bid to promote convention tourism, the country is promoting closer cooperation between the public and private sectors and providing a large conference center in Athens and establish a National Convention Bureau based on world standards.Europe hosts more than 60 percent of global conventions. More than 35,000 convention events were held internationally in the last 10 years with a turnover of more than 3.5 billion euros.

Greece is hosting the Europe Corporate Games Athens 2006 from Nov. 3-5 at the Olympic venues. It will be the second year in a row that Athens is staging this major event. In fact, the Greek capital has won the right to host the event for five consecutive years, from 2005 to 2010. The Europe Corporate Games are considered a special multisport celebration very different fro the traditional Games. The Corporate Games are a combination of sport, business and tourism, which helps to enhance life-long fitness and boost the spirit of teamwork and strengthen the ties between business management and staff at all levels, in addition to promoting the ideals of sport, international friendship and entrepreneurship.

More than 3,500 athletes, representing more than 150 companies from throughout Europe, are expected to compete in 20 events this time.

All in all, Greece, that at one time ruled the known world through Alexander the Great, is truly a country to enjoy and learn from, and the best way to learn about country is through a vacation.