Plans for a new tourism strategy

By Stathis Kousounis Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyianni presented a new strategy plan for 2013, which includes the active participation of professionals in the tourism industry, in Athens on Thursday. Kefaloyianni said that one of the main targets of the proposal is a complete revamp of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), announcing a shakeup in its bureaus abroad and the modernization of the inspection process of tourism enterprises. GNTO General Secretary Nikos Karahalios added that the plan provides for 17 projects to be launched within 60 days. Promotional activities include visits on Tuesday and Wednesday to Berlin, Hannover, Cologne and Frankfurt, where Karahalios will meet representatives of Germany’s biggest tour operators (TUI, Thomas Cook, REWE) to discuss joint initiatives. The GNTO’s promotion budget for next year has been reduced to 10 million euros, but the ministry will be seeking ways to increase this figure. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_1_15/11/2012_470295