IT is hard to imagine what the modern world would be like today without the influence of Ancient Greece, its drama, philosophy, poetry, civic values, and above all its sculpture and architecture. But it is not just the lure of history that brings foreign travelers to Greece.
Modern Greece is a country of great and charm, one of the most beautiful, hospitable and exciting destinations around the globe, as well as one of the safest and most affordable places on Earth.
Greece welcomes more tourists annually than it has inhabitants. In 2002, it received 14.2 million tourists, as against a population of 10.9 million. Yet Greece’s tourism industry contributes a mere eight percent to the country’s GDP, which worked out at 10.3 billion in travel receipts in 2002. Employment in the tourism sector (both permanent and seasonal) is estimated at 10 percent of all jobs. Together with shipping, tourism is most important service industry in Greece.
Greece’s popularity as a tourist destination goes back to the 1960s. It combines a stunning landscape, temperate climate, clean waters and beaches, Mediterranean hospitality and a cultural history of more than 3,000 years. The climate is excellent almost throughout the year. Staff are well trained and experienced. Today, Greece ranks 15th among the most favored destinations worldwide.
The Greek National Tourism Organization, in cooperation with other governmental organizations in Greece, has formulated a strategy for the development of high-quality and alternative forms of tourism.
It focuses on high-end hotels, together with golf courses, conference centers, marinas, spas, thalassotherapy centers, aqua parks and other theme parks. The projects are being developed in selected locations and are combined with thematic tourism such as diving clubs, underwater sealift, mountain climbing, trekking.
They also include agritourism, cultural, archaeological and religious tourism.
The newly elected Greek government has established a Ministry of Tourism, which will work together with other governmental and private organizations to implement and formulate tourism policy and cement the country’s lasting commitment to tourism.
