The Greek tourism industry is anticipating a double-digit increase in foreign visitor arrivals this year, but the big wager remains whether this will translate into a corresponding rise in revenues capable of boosting the countrys GDP. Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasting (ITEP) chairman Prof. Dionyssis Hionis told ANA-MPA that a 4.5 percent increase in tourism revenue is forecast for 2011, representing a 1pct increase in GDP, with all that entails for a rise in employment, although it is still early to make specific predictions.
At this time, early bookings in hotels have posted a 3 percent increase over last year, although, he added, in the good years for Greek tourism early bookings approached 25 percent
Hionis also anticipated that the unrest in Egypt will also give a boost to the tourist wave to Greece, with tour operators already preparing for that.
Hellenic Hotels Federation president Andreas Andreadis also anticipated a substantial increase in tourist arrivals of a high single-digit or low double-digit percentage. He added that early bookings from Britain have marked a 7-9 percent increase over last year, while interest was also high from such countries as Russia, France and Italy.
Tourism bookings rise
Expedia on Monday sent optimistic messages over this years tourism trends in Greece, saying figures available, so far, for April, May and June are very encouraging, with significant reservations recorded for April and November. Speaking to reporters during a news conference, the international travel agencys officials in Athens said a government decision to lower Vat rates for hotels resulting in slightly reduced room prices has positively contributed to the attractiveness of Greek tourism.
Expedia said it would continue promoting Greece through news letters, its website and through online and offline marketing policies.
The travel agency said room reservations for Greek hotels, through special promotional offers, accounted for 43 percent of total reservations.
Specifically, package reservations for Greek islands were up by 50 percent in 2010, compared with last year, with visitors mainly coming from the US (36 percent), Italy, the UK, France and Germany.
Greek hotel room prices, booked through Expedia in 2010, were unchanged compared with 2009, although they fell slightly in the last quarter of the year, with this decline expected to be continued in 2011.
IN ISRAEL
Greek tourist destinations were promoted at the 17th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) in Tel Aviv, Israel. The tourism trade fair took place between Feb. 8-9, offering fertile ground for the promotion of Greeces tourism market for Israeli tourists.
Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA) officials have also hinted at the possibility of greater tourism arrivals in the country due to the current turmoil in North Africa. Tourist arrivals from Israel posted an impressive 200-pct increase in 2010, corresponding to 250,000 tourism arrivals in Greece.
Summary:
This year Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasting (ITEP) anticipates that the tourism in Greece will increase because of a double-digit of foreign visitors. They estimate a 4,5 % increase of tourism revenues this year. This would be great for the Greek economy because the rising of4,5 % tourism income conforms to an expansion of 1 % in GDP and this lead to more occupation in this sector. Nowadays early booking hotels notice that there are 3 % more booking comparedto last year. But we may not be positive, because when the tourism was on their best in Greece, they obtained 25 % early bookings. Hionis also thinks that through the problems in Egypt the tourism in Greece will rise. Hellenic Hotels Federation president Andreas Andreadis says theresespecially interest from countries like Britain, Russia, France and Italy for the early bookings. If we look to the sales figures there are good expectations for the months April, May and June. This might be a consequence of the lower VAT rates on hotels and this had a positive influence to the appeal of the Greek tourism sector, because the price of the rooms declined and this trend will continue in 2011. At a trade fair in Israel, Greece promoted his country to the Israelites. In 2010 theyve noticed a dazzling growth of 200 % tourists from Israel who visited Greece.
My opinion:
Im glad that Greece will do better in 2011, because 2010 was a dramatic year for them due to the economical crisis, negative reports about the countrys debts and the effects of the Icelandic volcanic ash which affected flights in and out of the country.. Tourism has been one of the most important pillars of development for Greece, Ive heard that one in five persons living in Greece is directly or indirectly employed in the tourist sector.The improvement of visitors from foreign countries will give a major boost to the economy and to the people who have suffered under the consequences of an almost bankrupt Greece. For us, in Belgium its tempting to go on holiday to Greece because ofthe cheaper hotels, good weather and nice Mediterranean food. Certainly now the taxes on hotels are declined, I think this is a very good step of the government, it helps to attract people to visit the country and certainly those people whore sensitive to price changes. I find it good that they dont only aim their target on the European market but also on countries in Asia like Israel. If you see by doing some trade fairs in Israel leads to an increase of 200 % in one year! And this is corresponding to 250,000 tourism arrivals in Greece, if I would be the Greek government I would do more trade fairs in Israel and in the adjacent States. So they can exploit the tourism sector as much as possible. I do hope that in the interests of the Greek population and the European level of prosperity the tourism will do better in 2011 and gives us hope towards the future.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Irans most powerful economic, social and political institution, has moved aggressively after the contested 2009 presidential election to tighten its grip on society. The Guards where initially meant as an elite military force. But its broad mandate, to protect the revolution, has allowed it to reach far beyond its military capacity. Since the post-election protests, senior Guards officials have been moved into many important government positions. The Guards have taken over a majority share in the nations telecommunications monopoly. This takeover has amplified concerns in Iran over what some call the rise of pseudogovernment, prompting members of Parliament to begin an investigation into the deal. A private firm was excluded from the bidding one day before shares went on sale, and a company affiliated with the elite force won the bidding.
In my opinion the governments of any country should try to interfere as little as possible in its economy, because we believe in the principles of a competitive market situation. Of course for some markets, as public transport, it is vital that the government is involved. However if we examine the electricity market, lets say of Belgium, it becomes clear that because of the monopoly the prices rise, which is negative for the consumers. And Belgium is a developed country. The situation much worse in Iran, I believe. Its an unstable country where a lot of the economy is in the hands of the government. This makes it hard for civilians to become self-employed, or to get promoted or even just get a long term job. Their income is obviously irregular, doubtful and questionable. If they would earn more and with regularity, they can provide an education for their children, so they get better jobs and the chicken-and-egg situation turns to the positive. This way eventually the living standard will improve. Which can only be positive for the development of the country.
According to me it was wrong to prevent the private firm of bidding on a majority share in the nations telecommunications monopoly.Not just for Iran, but for any country. All interested persons should be given the opportunity to bid on their object of interest. If the Guards where so eager to own the majority share, they could have outbid the private firm.
This matter shows that Iran is not willing to improve, or at least some institution arent. Its government wants to stay in control of the economy. Its pity the Guards reacted this way, otherwise they could have send a positive signal to the outer world, to show improvement. Now they haven only confirmed what we already knew.
