Greece features among the most popular tourist destinations, with 16 million visitors last year placing it firmly in the top 15 countries for tourism worldwide.
According to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), “Greece’s wealth of culture, mythology, geographic diversity and its unique identity gives it the potential to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.”
Bearing in mind that World Tourism Organization is forecasting a 50 percent increase in travelers to the Mediterranean by 2025, Greece expects, by then, to receive 20 million visitors a year.
These impressive figures are mainly due to a new approach which emphasizes quality and diversity, broadening the scope beyond the ordinary. In order to keep thriving in a highly competitive international market, Greece is doubling its efforts so that the visitors can enjoy to the full its unique combination of light, natural beauty, culture, tradition and ancient heritage.
The Greek coast has a total length of approximately 16,000 km. Half of these are on the 2,000 of its islands, while the rest extends along the mainland. There are thousands of miles of glimmering coastline, mountains for excursions or paragliding like Icarus, or sailing to Mykonos for the weekend. Away from the most popular resorts, there are endless stretches of unspoiled beaches, fringed by olive groves, and lapped by warm, blue Mediterranean waters.
Ancient sites, museums, theatrical performances are all part of Greece’s cultural wealth. Visitors have, also, many opportunities to enrich their stay, by attending the various cultural or sports events held in every region of the country, to participate in the festivities that often are connected with enchanting local customs and to get acquainted with unknown but interesting aspects of Greek folklore heritage. Throughout the year, but especially during summer, hundreds of cultural events are held and scores of bigger or smaller festivals are being organized. Major Greek and foreign artists take part in these events, presenting works covering a wide range of classical, modern and folklore repertoire.
Moreover, the uniqueness of Greek cuisine guarantees that you are in for many culinary surprises during your stay in the country. Contrary to common belief, you will discover that beyond moussaka, souvlaki and Greek salad, there is a wide variety of dishes that can meet the culinary demands of meat and fish eaters as well as vegetarians in an extremely satisfying way. Things could not be different, anyway, in the country that gave birth to symposiums and the Epicurean philosophers.
Nevertheless, like in most countries, Greek cuisine has both influenced others and embraced ideas from its eastern and western neighbors. Apart from its natural beauties, Greece is focusing on new facilities. Public and private investments that took place ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games have changed the tourism landscape, from new public infrastructure to modern five-star hotels. Standards have been raised in hotels and restaurants, and the choice of attractions is wider — with a firm emphasis on quality. Transport and roads have also been upgraded.
Greece has much more to offer than sun, sand, and sea-or even ancient culture. Greece has changed as the tourism industry is also changing. New attractions are being developed, including golf, yachting, spa and health tourism, ecotourism, and conference tourism.
With its two great island chains — the isles of the Aegean and the Ionian isles — Greece has a solid potential for marine tourism. Sea cruises are also changing, often combining a variety of excursions and activities on land with visits to the fashionable islands and summer resorts.
The calm blue waters of the Greek seas offer an ideal environment for diving. There are more than 20 diving centers for tourists and a large number of licensed diving schools. It has been calculated that the annual number of overnight stays specifically for diving is more than 600,000.
Also growing is health and spa tourism. There are a large number of thermal springs in Greece, and these are being developed both for therapy and recreation. Hotels increasingly feature thalassotherapy and spa centers. There is a strong focus on adventure tourism and greater use of the natural environment. An increasing number of companies specialize in arranging activities such as trekking, climbing, rafting, caving and cross-country riding.
Greece may not seem the obvious place to go snow skiing, but it boasts no fewer than 17 ski areas, including the Parnassus Ski Center on one of the most beautiful mountains in the country.
Furthermore, the Greek National Tourism Organization is keen to encourage business tourism. The foundations for turning Greece into an ideal choice for convention, conference, and exhibition events were laid in the run-up to the 2004 Olympic Games with major improvements in infrastructure, including the Olympic venues themselves.
Post-Games, Greece now offers combinations of excellent conference facilities with unique museums, archaeological sites, shopping, and nightlife. In addition to more than 100 hotels offering a full range of such facilities, there are 13 conference centers, with a total capacity of 12,000 people. The new Metropolitan Convention Center in Athens has already successfully hosted conferences of more than 10,000 attendees.
The capital of Greece is also attracting visitors as a city break destination. In June, the city will get a first-class opportunity to promote its new image to the international tourism industry’s leading representatives when it hosts the international tourism exhibition, City Break 2007. All in all, Greece is a country of beauty, exciting contrasts and attractions. Enjoy them. After all, tourism in Greece is the total experience.
