April 2002

Time for action not words
Tourism worldwide has been on somewhat of a tumultuous course of late. There have been various factors involved from the disastrous terrorism attacks in the U.S.A. to economic downturns coupled with some inflationary costs trends. This latter includes local pricing, fuel, travel costs and new competitiveness. All of this discourages tourists.
Greece is among the countries very much affected by all these happenings and trends. For Greece has become a country identified with tourism, and somewhat dependent on tourism as well.
Gone are the days of yesteryear when automatically when warm weather arrived flocks of foreigners also arrived in Greece.
Other destinations have developed tourism facilities and competitiveness is now standard, practically worldwide. Sun and sea are available around the globe, and are not sufficient lures for visitors nowadays.
This situation has been recognized by the tourist trade in Greece, and several of the travel associations have shown their concern. One target of this concern has been the government---and sharp criticism has been levelled at the government. The prime criticism is that not enough is being done, and some of what is being done is too little and too late.
The time is for concerted action by all concerned---a concerted effort to envision new horizons and make them practical with innovations and development.
Neighbouring tourist rivals have already taken actions, such as eliminating or seriously reducing airport taxes---Greece still has about the highest such in Europe, and certainly higher than its close geographic competitors. The same is true for airport charges. Too high!
It should be noted that Gulf Air cited high costs of the new Athens airport as a prime reason for suspending service to Athens.
There is an urgent need for concentration on innovations in the tourist picture. One such may be honeymoons---Greece is certainly an ideal place for a honeymoon. Neighbouring Cyprus has already started such a program.
On ecotourism there is a lot said, but nothing developed. The old Greek word "Tha" is being heard over and over again. There has been some done for trekking and cycling holidays. But only a bare beginning.
On the score of financing one could get the impression that nothing is done or developed until Brussels comes up with an EU budget for such.
There has been enough talk. The time is ripe for some action!
Hellenic Travelling

TOURIST SEMINAR AT SEA CRITICIZES GOVERNMENT INACTIVITY
The Federation of Tourist Enterprises and the Union of Greek Passenger Ship Owners jointly held a seminar aboard the Stella Solaris of Royal Olympic Cruises. Prime purpose was to establish an annual one-day gathering to discuss crucial matters in the travel industry, and to make suggestions.
Representatives of the government and some embassies as well as other dignitaries were in attendance.
Overall purpose was to get all facets of tourism to work together for the best possible results, especially for the forthcoming Olympic Games of 2004.
Marios Trivizas, president of the Federation of Tourist Enterprises, stated, "The new tourist season will not be a good one. There is a need to unite forces, the private sector with the state. The state does not seem to realize what difficult position tourism in Greece is in this year. "
He suggested that tourist arrival levels would be the same as last year despite advance reservations being down, forecasting a 20 percent downward slide. Trivizas added that last minute reservations and special offers by tour operators should reduce this decline to ten percent. The biggest decline is anticipated from the U.S.A., which normally provides tourists of high financial level.
Andreas Potamianos, president of the Union of Greek Passenger Ship Owners, stated, "World tourism is in a crucial phase of change. All countries are striving hard to improve their competitiveness. Business people find this to be the major problem, especially crucial for cruise operators, a problem which demands a national strategy. The state is not doing anything to help while neighbouring Turkey has lowered port taxes by 60 percent and has suggested some potential for a further decline."

MYTHOLOGIC THEME PARK IN ANAVISOS
A Mythologic Theme Park is being developed at Anavisos on the Aegean coast to include two hotels, a salt lake, a park for environmental study, botanical gardens, ecological cultivation, and an open-air museum of natural science. In addition there is planned a theme park with attractions inspired by Greek mythology. The park will facilitate free entry to the public.
Estimated overall cost is between 50 and 80 billion drachmas. The project is to be completed in two phases. The first, by 2004, including the theme park and the two hotels. Second phase, total completion, by 2006.
Expectations are for one to 1.5 million visitors per year.

GREECE AND HUNGARY ENJOY HEALTHY TOURIST EXCHANGE
Greece and Hungary enjoy a healthy exchange of tourists. After a downslide following the disastrous September 11 attack on New York City, all signs are for a good recovery. At the annual Utazas Travel Show, held in March in Budapest, some 60 percent of exhibitors were promoting Greece.
Unusual for the host of international travel trade shows, at Utazas visitors make deposits for their holidays during the run of the show. Several thousand do so for vacations in Greece.
In the average year some 250,000 Hungarians enjoy a holiday in Greece. The greater majority fly on charter flights, most of which are direct to various islands, including such as Rhodes, Crete and Santorini.
In the other directions, during the past year, close to 100,000 Greeks were recorded visiting Hungary, representing 86 percent from the previous year's flow. Among the lures are the famed thermal mineral springs, amazing horse shows, a host of fascinating sights in and about the country's capital, and, of course, the Hungarian cuisine.
One unique lure of visitors to Hungary is the annual Budapest Spring Festival, held during the latter part of March. This was originally introduced in the year 1981, to help boost tourism during the previously slack 'shoulder' period.
The Festival offers a choice of up to ten venue every evening, and features stellar, world-acclaimed talents and entertainments, including grand opera, operetta, musicals, concerts and recitals, as well as Dixieland jazz (by the award-winning Sandor Benko band.) Among other unusual presentations is the annual 100 gypsy bandleaders' concert. This year six different, international ballet troupes presented different interpretations of the opera "Carmen." Mime and puppet theatrical productions are programmed as well.
The venue for various presentations includes the two magnificent cathedrals of St. Matthias and St. Stephan.
The premise of the Budapest Spring Festival has proven a huge success, with hotels reporting close to fully booked status during the two weeks of the Festival. Within the two-week period some 150,000 tickets are sold to some 178 performances, with a 98 percent capacity audience. An estimated 30 percent of the audience is foreign visitors, many of whom book special events before arriving in Hungary. Such is the detailed planning of the Festival that the program is announced a year in advance. And, a parallel Fall festival is being developed.
Very wisely the Hungarian Tourist Association invites representatives of the press from some 20 countries every year to attend the Budapest Spring Festival, with a working pressroom in the luxurious Kempinsky Hotel.

CYPRUS ALSO HOSTS HUNGARIAN TOURISTS
Similarly as Greece the island republic of Cyprus has signs of recovery of its tourist flow from Hungary. In the year 2000 there were some 12,000 Hungarians hosted. Last year there was a decline to some 8,600, representing a decrease of some 25 percent.
According to Julia Szuromi, the very capable representative of the Cyprus Tourist Board in Budapest, this year the total of Hungarian visitors should climb to well over 12,000. Ms Szuromi, who is fluent in Greek, having studied at the University of Aristoteles in Thessaloniki, has been busy promoting new aspect of tourism, including such as honeymoons, ecotourism and incentive programs. These, along with the sun and sea aspects of Cyprus.

MALEV UPGRADES FLEET AND SERVICES
Malev Hungarian Airlines, serving Athens-Budapest since 1963, has transported millions of passengers between Greece and Hungary. Malev is represented by Goldair in Greece.
The Malev fleet today is comprised of 23 relatively new aircraft, primarily Boeing and 6 Fokker airplanes, which have replaced all of the old Russian airplanes previously utilized.
With its cooperation with other airlines, such as KLM, Austrian, Alitalia and Iberia, Malev is expanding its network with new destinations, such as Odessa, on the Black Sea.
The airline links Budapest with 45 cities in Europe as well as others in Canada, the U.S.A. and the Middle East.
There has been an upgrading of services, including a new passenger terminal (2A) and catering at Ferihegy Airport of Budapest.
Ten flights a week between Athens and Budapest have been scheduled on the new summer schedule. Budapest-Thessaloniki routing has a schedule of six flights a week during the summer.
There are also a number of charter flights from Budapest to various parts of Greece during the tourist season as well as during the Christmas and Easter holiday periods.

LAUNCH ‘THE WORLD’ FIRST OCEAN GOING LUXURY RESORT
The world's first ocean-going time-share luxury resort was officially 'christened' in New York on April 19. This 43,524-ton vessel, named The World, has 110 'residences,' as well as 88 guest suites.
ResidenSea Ltd., owners and operators of the ship, plan to operate it on an annual itinerary, calling at outstanding places around the world, including the Far East, South America, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean
The notion, expressed by Knut Kloster Jr., operator of the vessel, is: "This is a new life style---travel the world without leaving your home. “Cost of various residences onboard range from 2 to 6.8 million U.S. dollars, with 80 percent bought before the maiden sailing.

NEW VIRGIN EXPRESS SCHEDULE FOR ATHENS
Virgin Express, the new Belgian low cost airline, inaugurated flights between Brussels and Athens on April 2. Initially these flights have sold 94 percent of capacity.
Following the collapse of Sabena last year, similar air service was limited. The new air carrier also started Brussels and Lisbon service at the same time as Athens. Virgin Express has daily flights to Athens, with Boeing 737-300 aircraft, offering 142 seating capacity.
The new airline now links Brussels with seven European capitals. Besides Athens and Lisbon, there is daily service to Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Rome and Stockholm. Fourteen other cities in Europe are also being linked with Brussels.
In 2001 Virgin Express carried some 2.5 million passengers.

TOURIST PANORAMA IS TERMED ‘BIGGER AND BETTER’
The seventh annual Tourist Panorama held in Piraeus has been termed 'bigger and better." All areas and islands of the country were represented by a great variety of stands. Attendance by the general public was recorded higher than at any previous fair.
A host of special, events and receptions were held, many in individual exhibition stands.
The Dodecanese were featured this year. It was announced that for the years 2000 and 2001 there were recorded 3.6 million tourist arrivals and 16.4 million overnights per year in the Dodecanese.
In a speech concerning the Tourist Panorama Akis Tschohatzopoulos, Minister of development, announced plans for a congress centre to be constructed on the site of the old Athens Airport at Ellinikon. He also expressed confidence in the future of tourism to Greece.
He promised that promotion and advertising budgets would be provided much earlier in the future, hopefully to be more effective. In his speech the minister decried what he termed "cheap tourism."
He also announced that part of the latest European Union budget for tourist development makes provision of some 800 million euros for Greece.

METROPOLITAN HOTEL HOSTS HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL
The Metropolitan Hotel of Athens sponsored an eight-day Hungarian Festival in its Trocadero Restaurant, co-organized by the hotel with the Hotel Taverna of Budapest, the Hungarian National Tourism Office and the Hungarian Embassy in Athens.
The award-winning Hungarian cuisine, including the famed goulash, and fine Hungarian wines, including Tokai and the famed Bull's Blood of Egger, were featured along with lively gypsy music and dancing.

PLAN WORLD CONGRESS ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ATHENS IN 2004
The 14th World Congress on Information Technology has been planned to be held in Athens in May of 2004, just three months before the 2004 Olympic Games. Some 3,000 participants are anticipated by the Federation of Hellenic Information Technology Communications Enterprises (SEPE), which will be hosting the conference.
This decision was confirmed at the 13th world congress held in Adelaide, Australia, this year.
The aim of the conference in Athens is to serve as a forum for discussion of all future trends in information technology and to provide a proper framework for new co-operations and investments.

STRESS ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN GREECE
Plans are being formulated by the Ministry of Development to develop ecotourism in five cities, Thessaloniki, Olympia, Patras, Volos and Herakleion as well as Athens. This was announced by D.Georgokopoulos. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Development.
The final plans will be submitted to delegates at the international ecotourism forum being held in Quebec City, Canada, this May.
These plans for ecotourism, which would provide economic and tourist possibilities for undeveloped areas, would generate financing for preservation and protection of the environment.

HATTA SPONSORS FORUM ON TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
The Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA), in cooperation with the Kalofolias Group, held a forum during the recent Tourist Panorama held in the port of Piraeus.
Creation of new tourist packages and other opportunities in connection with the Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Athens were the prime subjects during the two-hour discussion.

CSA CZECH AIRLINES SUMMER SCHEDULES
CSA Czech Airlines has started its summer schedule. For service between Prague and Athens there are six flights a week scheduled.
All told, the airline expects to operate 14,317 flights between March 31 and October 26, 2002. Of these 13,319 are international. During the season CSA will link Prague with 63 destinations in 40 countries.

FESTIVAL CRUISES BOOSTS CRUISE SCHEDULE
Festival Cruises has announced modifications for its fleet deployment with record bookings for both its winter and summer seasons.
With delivery of the new cruise ship, the European Stars (sister vessel to the European Vision), Festival will be operating five ships sailing in Europe this year. "Festival is looking forward to enjoying its finest year in 2002," according to a statement by Theodore Kontes, Festival's vice chairman. "Early-year bookings for the whole of 2002 have never been so high," he added.

HNTO TO PROMOTE GREEK CUISINE
Within the framework of a new expanded promotion for Greece, the Hellenic National Tourist Organization is planning to promote Greek cuisine and gastronomy in connection with the Olympic Games in 2004. Representatives are to be sent to international tourist fairs where the HNTO will participate to present cases about programming, in view of the Olympic Games, on athlete and guest nutrition, based on Greek cuisine.
In addition there is to be published an encyclopedia of Mediterranean cuisine in many countries, to include ten recipes by ten top chefs of Greece.

KING GEORGE HOTEL TO REOPEN
The King George Hotel, situated on Constitution (Syntagma) Square, has been scheduled to reopen this May. The 119-room, deluxe class hotel, shuttered for 14 years, has been taken over by the Grecotel chain and undergone a complete renovation.
Facilities include a Business Centre, a Health and Fitness Club, an indoor swimming pool as well as conference and banqueting halls. The rooftop Tudor Restaurant offers clear views of the Acropolis.

THAI AIRWAYS SCHEDULES
Thai Airways International PCL announced new destinations for this summer to Pusan, South Korea, and Kuwait. Additional flights are being scheduled to Los Angeles, Perth (in Australia), Narita and Nagoya (Japan), Shanghai (China), Jakarta and Denpazar (Indonesia), and Colombo, (Sri Lanca), and Karachi, (Pakistan.)

CYPRUS RECOVERING FROM DOWNTURN IN TOURISM
In the face of a general downturn of tourist arrivals in Cyprus, the Cypriot Tourist Organization has made strategic plans for recovery. Greece and Russia are expected to show an increase for 2002.
Main causes for the general picture are the aftermath of the attacks on the U.S.A. and keen competition among destinations. A general economic downturn in tourist source countries also contributes to the downturn.
The Cyprus government has taken decisions to help overcome the situation. These include increased funding for promotion and advertising abroad, boosting competition by eliminating airport tax (at Larnaca Airport) and aircraft landing fees at all Cyprus airports.
Among other measures is consistent advertising in 23 tourist markets, additional advertising to nine other markets.
In addition there are plans to boost late bookings with special packages for specific segments (i.e. conferences, incentive programs, etc.) of the market, co-advertising with tour operators and others. The 17 COT offices abroad have been given budgets for greater promotion and special events.
The year 2001 resulted in general with a decrease in anticipated tourist arrivals. For the month of October these were down ten percent from the previous year, both November and December were down 20 percent each. Overall for the year there was a one half percent increase in tourist arrivals. Income was up by seven percent. In the year 2001 there were 2,696,732 arrivals, compared with 2,686,205 in 2000.
The new strategic plan is for the period up to 2010. Increases are being planned for arrivals, extension of average stay, per capita spending, overall income, and an extension of the tourist season. Plans include new tourist experiences, including such as agrotourism, trekking and cycling tours.
Construction of five new yacht marinas is also planned, at Paphos (for 1,000 boats), Limassol (1,000 boats) Larnaca (expansion from 450 to 1,050), Aghia Napa (600 boats), Paralimnio (270 boats.)

STUDY OF GREEK HOLIDAY PREFERENCES
The results of a study of holiday preferences of Greeks, made by the Kapa Research Company, were released during the Tourist Panorama. Of those interviewed some 82 percent reported taking a holiday once a year. Some 72 percent said they take two per year. For many the second holiday trip is during the Easter and Christmas holiday periods.
Some 71 percent reported their plans had not been affected by the attacks of September 11, although 6.5 percent postponed their trips in Greece and abroad.
Prime considerations for their holidays are 'calm areas' in hotels or country houses, cleanliness, and, as an essential, air conditioning, and additionally, refrigerator and TV. There is a feeling that foreigners are better treated than Greeks at Greek resorts and hotels.
The average Greek family spends an average of between 800 and 900 euros for their holiday. The greater majority take their holidays during the months of July and August. Length of holidays is between two and three weeks.
One pertinent factor in this year's research as compared to a similar one of last year is that more Greeks are spending their holidays within Greece than abroad than previously.

KLM PHASES IN E-TICKETS
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines started service of electronic ticketing in April. During a first phase, tickets may be purchased for flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to 37 destinations. E-tickets are available via normal booking channels, i.e. KLM ticket offices, travel agencies, and the KLM website: www.klm.nl.
No actual tickets are issued as all details of passengers and their flight schedules are electronically stored in KLM's reservation system. At check-in e-ticket passengers merely present their passports and they are issued boarding passes.

PANHELLENIC FEDERATION OF TOURIST ENTERPRISES HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR COUNCIL
The Panhellenic Federation of Tourist Enterprises held its election for the 21-member council for the next three years. Officers are to be elected at the next meeting of the new council.
Among those elected to the all-male council are Spiro Ginis, Michael Ghiolman , Georgios Dimas, Georgios Doukas, Tsambico Moschatos and Manolis Papakaliatis.
All aspects of the tourist industry are represented in the federation.

BUSINESS TRAVEL EXECUTIVE REFLECTS ON TURNING IN TRAVEL
Herve Gourio, president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, claims that a turning point has been reached in business travel. A new perspective stressing cost reduction in all aspects of business travel is leading to recovery of this specific market.
In various strategies Carlson Wagonlit has effected up to 30 percent in cost reductions for various client companies.
The company has reported a sale volume of $11 billion for 2001, marked by cost cutting, utilization of new technology and innovation.

’NEW’ GRECOTEL IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Grecotels has announced the re-opening of its completely renovated five-star hotel in Alexandroupolis, the Grand Hotel Egnatia. Cost of the renovation was announced as 5.9 million euros.
The hotel is comprised of 105 rooms of which 95 are doubles, nine are suites, and one presidential suite. All face the seafront of Thrace.
Facilities include bars, restaurant, swimming pool, fitness club, sauna and jacuzzi, plus conference accommodations for 1,300 people.

AGENT FAM TOUR FROM EMIRATES
The first ever travel agent fam tour from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was effected recently. Fourteen leading agents from the Emirates participated in a four-night tour of Athens. Altair Travel Agency of Athens, with support from the UAE and the Greek Embassy in Dubai, made all arrangements, with the notion to increase the flow of Arab tourists to Greece.
The group was lodged at the Ledra Marriott Hotel, participated in a one day cruise and visited the key sights of the Greek capital. They were also given a briefing on developments for the Olympic Games to be held in Athens in 2004.
At the same time representatives of Altair Travel had a familiarization tour of Dubai.
Parallel to this tour the UAE is participating, for the first time, in the annual travel fair held in Dubai in May.

ANOTHER NEW HOTEL FOR ATHENS
Another 'new' hotel was opened in Athens last month. This is the Best Western Museum Hotel, a completely renovated hotel formerly known as the White House, and originally opened in 1958. Cost of the renovations was announced as 400 million drachma.
Centrally located, it is situated behind the Archaeological Museum. It is comprised of 50 double rooms, five singles and one luxurious suite. The suite includes its own Jacuzzi. There are designated non-smoking rooms as well as a conference hall, accommodating up to 40 people.

NEW AIRLINE SERVICE FOR GREECE
Azzura Air is a new airline with service to Greece. This Italian airline commenced twice daily service between Thessaloniki and Milan on March 31, Aircraft utilized is RJ70 (Jumbolino), with 84-seat capacity.
Azzura has flight connections from Milan with Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oporto and Bilbao.
Discover the World Marketing has been appointed general sales and marketing partners for Azzura in all European points where the company flies, including, naturally, Thessaloniki.

From My Notebook
-The trend of tourism is a bit of a tossup. At the International Tourism Bourse held in Berlin, the largest travel show in the world, there were hundreds of exhibitor cancellations this year, while Holiday World, held in Prague, reported new high statistics among exhibitors and countries represented as well as in the number of visitors.
-Surveys indicate that more and more people, both in the U.S.A. and in Europe, are planning driving holidays as opposed to the flying variety. Many indicate that "air travel has become too big a hassle," as opposed to any fear of flying.
-Oddly enough in this period of decreasing air travel, the costs of air tickets have risen rather than been lowered.
-Air service to Athens has been curtailed by a number of airlines, due to general decreases in traffic.
-General opinion in the local travel trade is that the four and a half million dollar advertising-promotion campaign announced for the U.S.A. by the Hellenic National Tourist Organization (HNTO) is far too late, getting started effectively after the season has already started.
-Airline commissions on sales of tickets by travel agents seem to be a notion of the past as more and more travellers utilize Internet for bookings. Airlines have been cutting commissions and are considering eliminating such completely in the near future.
-Meanwhile the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) claims travel agents still sell some 75 percent of all airline tickets.
-There may be good news on visas forthcoming for Greeks wishing to visit the U.S.A. Greece may become another country whose residents do not need a visa.
-But meanwhile there is more and more concern being expressed abroad of safety during the Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Athens in 2004. All criticism is being cantered on the negative results of Greek police forces not being able to identify even one of the November 17 terrorists.
-Over in Cyprus there is excitement over plans to build a huge representation of Aphrodite at Paphos, where mythology has the goddess of love rising from the deep. This structure would stand as tall as the Statue of Liberty, and permit visitors to ascend to the top of it.
-Somewhat coincidentally, Julia Szuromi, the beauteous representative of Cyprus in Hungary, is promoting honeymoons in the island republic. There are those who claim that Ms Szuromi is the representation of Aphrodite of today.
-No doubt inspired by the success of the various Disneyland and other amusements parks around the world, a Vampire amusement park is being planned in the fortress-town of Sighisoara, in the Transylvania sector of Romania, all with appropriate chills and thrills.
-Spiros Latsis is the only Greek to make Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of the world’s billionaires. The Stelios Hadji-Ioannou family from Cyprus (of EasyJet fame) also made the list, which was headed by Bill Gates of Microsoft.
-Humour Department:
Notice in Tokyo hotel: Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviours in bed.
Another notice in same hotel: For your comfort you are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.
Notice in Rome hotel: If you feel cool or hot, please control yourself.
Notice in Nairobi restaurant: Customers who find our waitresses rude should see the manager.
Laundry in Rome: Leave your clothes here and spend an afternoon having a good time.
-Another truth in travel: If you look like your passport picture you definitely need the trip!

NEW CRUISE SHIP FOR ROYAL OLYMPIC CRUISES
Royal Olympic Cruises and Blohm & Voss GMBH announced they have reached an agreement with regard to the delivery of the new fast cruise ship, Olympia Explorer. The ship shall be delivered in Hamburg in time for commencement of its summer season and the 7-Day Grand Mediterranean Cruise. The new, Olympia Explorer, is sister ship to the Olympia Voyager, which was delivered to Royal Olympic Cruises in June 2000.
With their exceptional service and speed of above 28 knots, the Olympia Explorer and Olympia Voyager are the fastest cruise vessels of their size. Indeed, this month's delivery coincides with Blohm & Voss's 125th anniversary celebrated this year. The new 836-passenger ship will is scheduled to commence her itineraries on May 3rd and its first cruises from Piraeus and Venice are already sold out. Royal Olympic Cruises' Chief Executive Officer, Yiannos Pantazis, comments: "This is a great day for Royal Olympic. We have worked hard over many months to be in a position to offer ROC passengers, agents and the market an outstanding cruise product. This has now become possible due to the agreements we have reached with the shipyard."
Pantazis adds that he is delighted with the way that the Olympia Explorer's Grand Mediterranean cruises have been received in the market. "These cruises will be unique in their ability to offer Piraeus, Corfu, Venice, Dubrovnik, Katakolon, Bari, Istanbul, Mykonos and Santorini - with tours in each port of call - all within a seven-day cruise package." "The Explorer and the Voyager are great ships with great itineraries!" says the CEO, emphasizing that the ships' speed gives it greater flexibility and more visiting time for passengers. The Olympia Explorer begins in Piraeus on Friday May 3rd, from Venice on Sunday May 5th and will be cruising the 7-Day Grand Mediterranean cruise itinerary till October.
Embarkation, disembarkation will also be permitted from Istanbul, Turkey from May 8th and every Wednesday, until October. Royal Olympic Cruises is the largest cruise operator in the Eastern Mediterranean, owning and operating a fleet of eight cruise ships. The company operates the 7-day Mediterranean Dream cruise from Genoa and Civitavecchia, starting May 19 this year, through October, with embarkation, disembarkation from Piraeus as well, every Wednesday; the 7-Day Treasures of the Mediterranean cruise from Genoa and Barcelona, starting May 18 this year, through October, with embarkation, disembarkation from Marseilles as well, every Sunday; the 7-Day Golden Fleece cruise from Piraeus, starting April 12th this year, with embarkation, disembarkation from Istanbul as well every Saturday, through the end of October. Royal Olympic Cruises also operates the very popular 3-Day Aegean Discovery cruise every Friday, the 3-Day Aegean Romance cruise every Friday and the 4-Day Aegean Classic cruise every Monday, from Piraeus, that started on March 8th and operates through to November.

UK LOW COST AIR CARRIERS DEMAND PHOTO ID
As of this month United Kingdom low cost air carriers are demanding photographic identification from domestic passengers. Easyjet and GO announced they will not permit passengers to board their flights without a passport or other photo identification, in an effort to increase security in the wake of September 11.
A spokesman for Go stated, "In this period of increased security, we feel it is vital for an airline to have correct passenger lists for all their flights."

NEW DRUG REDUCES DVT RISK
A new drug, which could dramatically reduce the risk of passengers on long haul flights developing blood clots, has been launched in the United Kingdom.
Deep Vein Thrombosis, the so called "economy class syndrome" has affected a number of airline passengers in recent months, some of whom have died.
The drug, called Arixtra, has been developed principally to reduce the risk of DVT to people undergoing orthopaedic operations. It is claimed that it reduces patient risk of blood clotting by 50 percent over present treatments.

U.S.A. INTRODUCING NEW ‘SECURE’ PASSPORTS
The U.S.A. is to introduce new passports with increased security features as part of its war against terrorism.
From April 8, every new passport issued is to contain a digital photograph of the holder and other in-built security measures, which at present are being kept secret.
A State Department spokesman stated, "The new features have been designed to make this one of the most secure travel documents in the world."
It is planned to extend the technology to visas for travel to the United States at a future date.
The introduction of the new documents is likely to cause some initial delays for US citizens living abroad who apply for new passports. American embassies and consulates overseas do not yet have the technology to issue the security-enhanced versions.
Overseas passports will be handled by the National Passport Centre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which could take longer to process applications. Americans living abroad and wanting to renew their passports are advised to apply early.

A THREAT TO AIRLINE OPERATIONS AT ZURICH AIRPORT
IATA notes that the Swiss Federal Council has decided to send the Treaty between Switzerland and Germany on aircraft movement to and from Zurich airport over German territory to the Swiss Parliament for ratification. In this context, IATA has already expressed its concerns on the Treaty and its likely consequences. In summary, these are: Firstly, the draconian restrictions to operations to and from Zurich imposed by the Treaty will create serious inconvenience to airlines operating in the early morning and late evening hours, as well as to their passengers. They will further cause a ripple effect, both in short and long haul operations, at other airports in Europe and beyond, the financial and safety implications of which have not been adequately analysed. The decision to impose, at a later stage, extended curfews based on local holidays will make things even worse. Secondly, Switzerland and Germany may establish an unfortunate international precedent that could prompt other Governments elsewhere to take similar action. Zurich is certainly not the only international airport in the world that lies close to an international border. Singapore, Toronto or Copenhagen and of course Geneva, are other examples. Thirdly, Zurich airport will be placed at a competitive disadvantage verses other European airports. For example, German hub airports are not being targeted with similar measures. In IATA's opinion this Treaty also runs contrary to the aim of the Bilateral Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on Air Transport. It could also cause a serious complication in the establishment of a European single sky. IATA regrets that both Governments have focused their attention on aircraft movements instead of the more efficient noise abatement procedures. It would seem that alternative operational measures to reduce current noise emission levels over Southern Germany have not been adequately addressed by the two parties.

From My Notebook By Connie Soloyanis
- Commercial air traffic to and from Athens has been reduced drastically following the general slump in air travel worldwide in the wake of the disastrous attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.
- Virgin Atlantic was the first to eliminate service to Athens. Following, the Greek-owned Axon Airlines suspended all service. Cronus Airlines, which had merged with Aegean Airlines, both Greek-owned, has curtailed its Athens-London flights with possible cancellation of service to Rome in the near future. Several other airlines continue their services to the Greek capital, but with smaller aircraft and reduced schedules, such as Malev Hungarian Airlines utilizing 70-seat Fokker aircraft instead of the larger Boeing airplanes.
- All due to the dramatic decreases in passenger loads.
Gulf Air is cancelling service to Greece, as of the end of March, citing high costs at the new Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. In one instance of costs aircraft parking at the airport has zoomed in cost from 320 Euros to 1,300.
- Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled its service to Athens as well.
Lufthansa has stopped its service to Thessaloniki, which had been operated for some 30 years, up to two flights daily.
- Turkish Airlines has also curtailed its service to Thessaloniki.
In the near future Singapore Airlines and Thai Airlines are expected to share flights with their 1,400 seat capacity a week.
- Even aircraft leasing, from Lear jets to commercial airlines, is down some 50 percent.
- One effort to stimulate more air traffic to Athens is that of reducing various charges at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, which have been rated one of the highest in Europe.
- Only positive sign in the air picture of Greece is that Cyprus Airways has announced its intends to create a new airline for Greece, in a joint venture with Cronus-Aegean, initially for domestic routings and then international as the 2004 Olympic Games draw closer. The new schedules would be non-competitive with Olympic Airways.
- Fate of the Greek flag carrier Olympic Airways is somewhat uncertain. All bids to purchase the airline have either been withdrawn or rejected.
- One of the more recent announcements has been that there is to be some 40 percent reduction in services (including cancellation of such to Australia and Canada). There has been one report that the airline is to be divided into three separate companies, one for handling of aircraft, one for maintenance, and a third, for flight schedules, and all three sectors privatized.
- The Government has been trying to privatize the airline for several years rather unsuccessfully. The main problem seems to be an overstaffing by some 3,000 to 4,000 employees.
- Delta Air Lines appears to be the only one to maintain its present schedule of four flights weekly between Athens and New York, expanded to daily during the summer season. But Delta has "retired" 25 employees in Athens.
- CSA Czech Airlines is another airline which has maintained its schedule, of four flights a week to Prague, increasing to six for its summer schedule.
- Some 90 percent of the tourists to Greece come from European countries. Some 75 percent arrive by airplane, close to 60 percent by charter flights.
- It has been estimated (by the Injury Prevention Works organization) that overhead luggage on commercial flights account for some 4,000 passenger injuries each year.
- This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Concept Tours, the leading incentive company in Greece.
- The news for those who save frequent flyer "miles" for awards. By utilizing the seven airlines in the SkyTeam Alliance there is a "round the world flight" for anyone garneting 140,000 miles in Economy and 220,000 miles in Business Class.

ORLANDO AIRPORT GETS NEW AIR SECURITY DEVICES
The airport security systems of the future can see through clothes for weapons, sniff a person for explosives and determine what's in a bottle without opening it. At Orlando International Airport the future is now, as six-prototype security systems will begin operation over the next few days. Orlando, one of the world's busiest airports, was chosen in December as the testing ground for next-generation security checkpoint devices. However, the heightened security may come at a price. The scanner that can see through clothes leaves nothing to the imagination, and the bomb sniffer also can test for drugs. Both of these systems concern civil liberties advocates. On Thursday, the Advanced Technology Checkpoint Project made its debut to the media as government leaders looked on approvingly. `We have to make sure that people feel safe and secure going to our airports,' said Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood, chairwoman of the Florida Domestic Security.

ANSETT BANKRUPTCY AFTERMATH
Three thousand Australian airline workers on March 4 found themselves unemployed after bankrupt carrier Ansett made its last flight. Last minute efforts by its administrators to organize a rescue deal failed and the airline, once the country's second largest, ceased operations from midnight. It is understood that two former Ansett-owned regional airlines, Hazelton and Kendell, will continue to fly. They are under separate administration and there are plans to merge them ahead of a sale. Since last week, when the Tesna Consortium backed away from a rescue operation two days before it was due to be completed, Ansett has tried desperately to stay in business. Its hopes rested largely with low cost operator Virgin Blue, but no deal emerged. With its options exhausted Ansett, which originally filed for bankruptcy in September 2001, will now sell off its assets. Virgin Blue is thought likely to bid for some of Ansett's terminal facilities at Australian airports. The Australian government has distanced itself from the Ansett collapse and Transport Minister John Anderson is reported by the Financial Times to have said that every effort was made to help resurrect the airline. However, the deal set up with the men behind Tesna, businessmen Lindsay Fox and Solomon Lew would have cost the taxpayer huge amounts of money, said Anderson. Tesna cited "third party" problems, as the reason for pulling out. Air travellers are being re-assured by the country's leading carrier, Qantas, and by Virgin Blue, that Ansett's disappearance will not lead to higher fares.

SN BRUSSELS AIRLINES SUCCESSOR TO SABENA
SN Brussels Airlines, the successor to the failed national airline Sabena is to launch services to Africa on April 26. Three Airbus A330-300 will be phased into the operation. The first destinations to be served are: Entebbe/Nairobi (three times a week); Kigali/Nairobi (twice a week), Kinshasa (3 times/week), Dakar /Banjul (3 times/week); Conakry/Monrovia (twice a week.) To operate the flights, SN Brussels Airlines signed a letter of intent for a "wet lease" contract with a new Belgian airline that will be created by G. Gutelman and V. Hasson. The operation is conditional on all parties getting the necessary authorizations and Board approvals. The launch of African operations will create employment opportunities for about 200 people in Belgium and 150 in Africa, the carrier says. Two types of classes will be available - Business Class with 42 seats and a 62-inch pitch, Economy class with 222 seats and a 31 to 33-inch seat pitch. The planes will also allow the transport of cargo. On a yearly basis, about 40.000 tons of cargo capacity will be available between Europe and Africa. The company to be created by MM. Gutelman and Hasson will put the three airplanes and cockpit crew at SN Brussels Airlines disposal. SN Brussels Airlines will operate the flights and will be responsible for all commercial, network, marketing, quality and product aspects. The three planes will bear the SN Brussels Airlines identity. The livery and interior of the planes will be adapted to the new colours and logos of the company. The agreement signed with MM. Gutelman and Hasson will allow to provide employment to 50 Belgian pilots who will be hired by MM Gutelman and Hasson's new airline. Service on board will be ensured by SN Brussels Airlines cabin personnel. About 150 ex-Sabena cabin crewmembers will be offered employment. In Africa, SN Brussels Airlines will hire some 150 staff, mostly ex-Sabena. The launching of long-haul flights will also allow to create additional jobs for ground personnel at Brussels Airport. The first plane to carry the new SN Brussels Airlines brand and logo was to be ready by end February. SN Brussels Airlines continues to be part of the Qualiflyer Frequent Flyer program and customers can earn and spend miles on all flights.

DELTA AIRLNES STOP PAYING COMMISSIONS
Delta Air Lines decided to stop paying commissions to travel agents for tickets in the United States and Canada. Delta has hit tough financial times reporting net losses of USD$1 billion last year, thus taking the decision to cut its own costs. The changes apply to all tickets, Miscellaneous Charge Orders (MCOs) and Prepaid Ticket Advices (PTAs) issued by travel agents in the United States (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) and Canada for all domestic and international travel. It does not affect Delta's commission policy regarding tickets purchased outside the United States and Canada. The airline said that while it is eliminating published base commissions, it will continue to pay individually negotiated incentive commissions to select agents.
As a result of Delta's decision, ASTA has called for an immediate halt to the sale of travel agency transaction data to the airlines by the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). ASTA is asking for emergency action from the US Department of Transportation to stop the sale of individual agency sales information on GDS computer tapes to the airlines and an immediate ban on enforcement of productivity clauses that penalize agents for booking outside the GDS system. ASTA also pointed out that Worldspan should not be allowed to force agents to meet booking thresholds, in view of the fact that Delta is a primary shareholder in Worldspan and has changed the rules of the game so drastically.
Finally, ASTA advised its members to stop working for free and decline to perform work such as refunds and ticket exchanges on Delta's behalf. ASTA issued the following alert to its travel agent membership: "Delta Airlines has eliminated base commissions and stated that it will negotiate new compensation arrangements only with a few 'key' or 'select' agencies. It appears Delta cancelled its agency relationship with all travel agents, most of whom can expect no further compensation for services related to arranging air travel on Delta. You have to decide how you will conduct a profitable business in this environment. This is America and no one who is not a volunteer works for free. ASTA recommends that if you are not being paid by Delta, you should decline to perform any work on Delta's behalf such as processing refunds and making exchanges."
ASTA representative stated that, "Travel agents will survive this. The vast majority of travel agents charge fees. Consumers love what travel agents do for them and will continue to use agents. We are reminding our members that travel agents may choose to charge higher fees for Delta or any other carrier that does not pay commissions".

DIVANI PALACE ACROPOLIS RENOVATED
The Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel has undergone a complete renovation. The five-star luxury hotel, situated practically in the shadow of the Acropolis of Athens, has new splendour to offer its guests. The local travel industry was invited to take tours of the facilities.
All 253 rooms have n been redone, and each offers its own verandah. In addition there are seven luxuriously appointed suites, plus a super deluxe Presidential Suite. One unique feature is the Socrates Roof Garden with its breathtaking viewing of the nearby Acropolis. During the summer reason there is a delicious barbecue buffet and live music at the open-air roof garden.
The hotel is situated in a quiet residential area, but still close to the center of the city, convenient for business travellers. There is a fully equipped Business Center, with all facilities, including Internet access.

AUTO HELLAS HERTZ PROFITS DOUBLE
The economic value of Auto Hellas Hertz rose 31% during the year 2001. The last two years, when the Auto Hellas Hertz became listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, its profits have almost doubled. At the same time the company's sales were augmented by 18%. This is credited to the continuing development of long-term rentals, the sales of which increased by 23%, while short-term renting raised steadily at 11.2%.
The Auto Hellas' fleet is now the largest of the auro car rental market in Greece, with some 17,000 vehicles that are traded through 110 service centers all over the country.

ISLAND OF MILOS HAS NEW AIRPORT
The proposed new airport on the island of Milos is to be funded at ten billion drachmas. Two and a half billion is to be from public sources and 7.2 billion provided by the European Union.
Milos will have a modern, functional airport with many capacities that should contribute to the local economy and general tourist development of the island.

SUPERFAST SELLING TWO SHIPS
Superfast ferries has signed a contract to sell the ships Superfast 3 and Superfast 4. Specifically the company referred to the following:
The Tasmanian Government (Australia) and the Tasmanian Company TT Line signed a contract with Superfast Ferries in order to acquire the two ships from the latter.
Superfats Ferries has taken delivery from the HDW Shipyards of Germany the ships Superfast 9 and Superfast 10 and has confirmation for the construction of two more ships, Superfast 11 and Superfast 12, being constructed at the Flende Werft of Lybeke shipyards of Germany.

NEW LIGHTING FOR MACEDONIA AIRPORT
The work ILS 2, that regards the lighting of one of two air corridors with the system of blind landing at Macedonia Airport is in function, it was announced by the Minister of Transportation Christos Verelis. Installation was late, and a case is being investigated by the Prosecutor of First Instance Court at Thessaloniki.
The new installation should decrease time lags and cancellations of flights due to bad weather conditions by some 70 percent.
Minister Verelis also mentioned that the following works are in progress at the same airport: construction of a wheel-driven air corridor, expansion of the airport to the west, construction of a road leading to the Piraeus' radar, and clearance sale of the airport's central areas. Also to be auctioned are the following: a commercial station, expansion of the air corridor 10/28 at 1000 meters, and a new regulation of circulation.

TRAVEL ASSOCIATIONS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
The various associations that represent tourist operators, travel agencies, tourist coach fleet operators, incoming and outgoing tourism agencies, yacht charters and workers in tourism enterprises held a press conference in Athens.
These representatives analyzed their problems in general and the particular ones that tourist business affronts. They expressed indignation on how the government treats tourist matters, especially at the present time, and declared there would be reactions if their demands are not taken into consideration by April.

URGE CREATION OF REGIONAL AGENCIES FOR TOURIST PROMOTION
Dimitrios Georgarakis, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism has urged the creation of Regional Agencies for Tourist Promotion and Research that would work with specified and institution al purposes and organizations on matters related to tourist promotion. He suggested that all such agencies should work together with regional, prefectural and municipal authorities, the HNTO, regional tourism industry representatives, local travel agencies and tour operators as well as with advertising and promotion professionals.
The planning and policy of each region should be in proportion to the supply as well as the demand for each. A policy of development is necessitated, with a parallel policy of the development of a National System of Tourist Promotion that should comprise an integral plan for advertising, including a flexible mechanism, for advertising.

STRINTZIS SHIPPING PROFITS SOAR
The Strintzis Shipping Company has reported considerable increase of its profits, some 118.2% for the year 2001, in comparison to the previous year. During the same period the total work effort of the Group also increased at 8.2% during the year 2001.
The amelioration of these results is due to the successful exploitation of the newly constructed ferries of the Group of Blue Star 1, Blue Star 2 and Blue Star Ithaki that served for the first time, starting at the beginning of the year, on the Cyclades line.
The total transport effort of the Group had an increase on the domestic lines of 6% for the transported passengers and a decrease of 22.1% for transported vehicles. This was due to the cessation of the itineraries served by the ferryboat Ionian Sun at the end of summer.
The transportating efforts of the Group serving Greece-Italy traffic (including the tourist traffic between Corfu and Italy) presented a small decrease in comparison to the year 2000 because two ferries were withdrawn from serving these routes.
Finally, in the framework of updating and renewing the Group's fleet, the construction of two, luxurious, high-speed ferryboats proceeds: the Blue Star Naxos and the Blue Star Paros at the shipyards of Daewood Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Ltd. These are scheduled to be delivered during the first half of this year.

POSSIBLE FERRY BOAT MERGER
It has been announced that Anonymous Shipping Company of Crete S.A. and the Strintzis Lines Shipping S.A. have examined the possibility of a merger. Economic, legal and administrative factors are being examined for such a possible venture.

HATTA’S PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
The HATTA denounces the illegal management of accommodation offered to the visitors of the Olympic Games by uncontrolled real estate agencies and blamed the persons in charge of handling the matter. The HATTA also mentioned that there was no initiative taken to promote Greece and the Olympic Games and that no measures were taken for the spectators' accommodation.
For this, it is supposed that during the peak days there will be a need for 150,000 hotel beds instead of the existing 40,000.
HATTA also proposes the creation of higher motives for the small category hotels to enter the law for development even the ones that are not today functioning but will do so during the Olympic Games.
The development law should cover private quarters, certified by the GNTO for a limited period.
These ones should have all the technical specification needed, be certified by the GNTO for their quality and to be used only in terms of tourist renting. The organization and promotion of this accommodation should be undertaken by legally functioning travel agencies.
Finally, in order to coordinate this work the †€’’€ considers the necessity of a data - bank where should be listed all extra accommodation.

ROYAL WEDDING
The Holland Community of Greece was gathered at the OSCAR HOTEL's central lounge and watched the wedding of the Prince of Holland Willem - Alexander to Mrs. Maxima Zorreguieta. Afterwards there was given a dinner with Holland gastronomic dishes.

MODERN WAYS OF GREEK TOURISM’S ADVERTISING
The Minister of Development, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, ordered new advertising methods and including through the Internet.
In this framework orders were given to the GNTO's offices abroad. Two specialized sites already appear in England and in Italy (www.antor.com/greece) and www.entetourismoellenico.com.
At the same there is a tourist campaign on the reputed German magazine's 'Spiegel' site (www.derspigel.de). To his direction the GNTO, is going to realize the BBC's advertising proposition to advertise Greek tourism in all internal American flights for one year and three - months show on www.bbcworld.com.
Another positive factor is the GNTO's campaign through Euronews in which there are seven spoken languages, i.e. German, French, English, Spanish, Portugal, Italian and Russian.
The GNTO also presents an advertising spot in Russia that has already been positively commented. To the rest of Europe, the GNTO also lances its campaign in the Swedish newspaper AFTONBLADET, through a special edition on Greece as tourist destination. Greece as tourist destination is also promoted through the pages of the 'Griechenland 2002' where 155 German tour operators present their tourist programs to Greece.
Apart from the Mass - Media and Internet the GNTO lances its campaign by participating in various travel fairs. After its presence in the fair on conventional tourism Confex in London and to the BIT's international tourist Fair in Milan, the GNTO, considers seriously its participation to the ITB Tourist Fair in Berlin, to the MITT in Moscow as well as in Dubai.

AN INCREASE OF 17-20% WE HAVE TO EXPECT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON FERRYBOAT’S FARES
There will be gradual increases of 17 to 20 percent over the next three of four years, according to a study of a Tickets Fares Committee. These may reach 50% increase over present fares by the year 2006. This study is subject to approval by the Ministry of Merchant Marine and then by the Ministry of National Economy.
According to this study the matter of fares is a national issue, and may be based on the distances are designated at every 25 miles and respectively the factor by which fares are calculated. The longer the distance the smaller the factor will be. Fares are to be increased for all ships less that ten years of age unlike for the fares for older ships where the increase would not surpass 20 percent. This will help facilitate the payment for investments in newly-build ships.
The method for calculating fares for ferryboats serving local lines also is being changed. These will be calculated according to the ferry's length and not its weight.

ONLY 5% INCREASE ON FERRYBOAT’S FARES
The Minister of Merchant Marine G. Anomeritis made a politic maneuver for the increase's percentage on ferryboats tickets' fares.
At the same time it is known that the ministry and the ferryboats' owners talk of an increase that reaches around the 30%. They both agree that with only such a raise will it be possible to pay off the instalments of a decade's loan and that reach the amount of half a trillion drachmas. According to information, the ferry boats owners have demanded a 10% raise for every day's itineraries, a 25% for the weekend's itineraries, an a 40 to 50% raise during the months of July and August, while discounts will be made according to special arrangements.
As far as petitions for new itineraries are concerned, that the ferryboats' owners have lodged and that concern the period after the cabotage's raise, the Minister of Mercantile Navy said that a 92% - 93% of the itineraries have been covered and also added that:
'The only destinations that have not yet been covered are the ones of the small islands such as Patmos, Leros, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Astypalea, Nisyros, Kassos, Karpathos, Tilos, Symi, Kastelorizo, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Thirassia, Anafi, Donoussa, Amorgos, Koufonissia, Schinoussa, Heracklia, Fourni, Psara, Samothraki and Lemnos.'
He added the following: 'This does not mean that we are not interested about Lemnos. We are referring to the direct lines. Local lines are not included, neither the unprofitable ones, the ones that our ministry and the Ministry of Aegean considers as unprofitable.'
In order to cover the 'unprofitable lines' the minister of Mercantile Navy mentioned the following stages:
1. On the 31st of January there have been filed 273 petitions for these itineraries. At the 10th of February, these petitions will be published. Until the 20th of February anyone who wished to file a petition could also file.
2. On the 31st of March the Ministry of Mercantile Navy is considering the petitions filed and by then the Association of Coastal Communication will decide which company will have the responsibilities of a public service and which will be assigned as a public agency.
3. On the 30th of April, the Ministry of Mercantile Navy will invite any coastal company wishing to serve these lines for 3-5 years period without Public expenses. On the 15th of June there will be a Dutch auction for assigning the contract and an international European auction, will be announced in the newspapers of European Communities for anyone who would like to assign a contract and undertake in payment some lines.

PIRAEUS PLANS AN INTERNATIONAL AND BUSINESS CENTER
The planning of a mastering plan that will cover all the promoted activities on short -term and a long - term program for the general reforming of Piraeus, was the subject discussed at ministers' meeting that took place on the 'Clearing plan Organism and the Environment's Protection of Athens.
Participants at the meeting included the Minister of Merchant Marine George Anomeritis, and the president of Athens' Organism, Mrs. Avghi Markopoulou. The prime - minister's counsel Bill Makryonitis, Th. Pantalakis, vice-manager of the NBG, and executive members of the Ministry of Public works, the minister of Transportation, the minister of Communication, the manager administrator of Piraeus Port Organism Ch. Psaraftis and executive members of Athens Organism.
The Organism on the next meeting of the representatives of communication will describe the possible necessary institutional interventions and will make a time - schedule, after the representatives' opinions and the whole business plans.
The minister of the mercantile navy mentioned among others on the subject:
'After the adoption of interventions on the hospitality subjects of the Olympic Games of 2004 at Piraeus port, a considerable step will have be made for the general developing plan of Piraeus. The master plan project, that is estimated to be accomplished by March, will be distinguished to the ones to be delivered until 2004 and to those to be accomplished gradually after 2004.'
'The main goal of the interventions will be to: (a) overcome the actual deficiencies and shortages (b) to turn Piraeus to an international maritime and business center, (c) the port will be the support of to the country's qualitative tourist upgrade and (d) to offer through its reform the necessary economical, social and environmental support to the profit of Piraeus citizens and mostly of the Drapetsona's and Keratsini's municipalities.'

A NEW AIRCRAFT FROM AIRBUS
The Airbus is producing a 555 seat aircraft, the so-called 'A380,' in spite of the fact that the company is passing through an economic crisis due to disaster of the 11th of September.
Airbus has reduced by 20% its labor force. Despite this the company has given the commitment that the new aircraft will fly in the year 2006.
It is a clear goal for the A380 -that it will be the biggest passenger jet in the world - to replace the Boeing 747.As for the European air shipping company; it is a matter of prestige in the long - lasting competition with the American Boeing.
The parts of A380 will be constructed in many Airbus' units among Europe and will be transferred, until 2003, to the company's central plant in Toulouse. For the time being there have been ordered in total 97 aircraft.

NEW CONTROL SYSTEMS IN HEATHROW
The passengers arriving at the Heathrow will pass more quickly the airport's passports' control thanks to a high technology's identifying system through the eye's iris.
The most - visited airport's management announced that a five months' testing period of the system is inaugurated on British Airways' and Virgin Atlantic's terminals that serve trans-Atlantic flights.
The main purpose of this system is to quicken the passengers' pass from passport control. In the future the new system will be used as an extra security measure of the airport.
'We hope that by these testing, the identification technology through the eye's iris will prove an efficient and precise security measure', stated airport's manager, Mik Taylor.
This testing, based on the Eyeticket Jetstream TM Product system, is the first to take place at the country's airport and will 'examine' some 2.000 passengers who fly regularly between the USA and Britain.

THE TRAVEL SHOW EXHIBITION IN LOS ANGELES
The GNTO was represented at the Los Angeles Travel Show's exhibition, with its stand to promote Greece as a tourist destination. Local tour operators were invited. The presence of commercial visitors was greater than expected. The GNTO's president mentioned that Greece is highly regarded as Americans' preference as a tourist destination. As far as Greece's promotion is concerned, apart from its publicity at the 'L.€ Times'' site, the GNTO's president in America, Mr. Tabakis gave interviews to television's and radio's stations, that were also transmitting direct from the Fair's place.

DELTA APPOINTS A NEW COMMERCIAL MANAGER FOR GREECE AND CYPRUS
Delta Airlines announced that the Company's new commercial Manager for Greece and Cyprus will be Dimitris Karagioules. Mr. Karagioules will supervise all sales' activities in Greece and Cyprus, having a close cooperation with clients from the Business and Distraction's domain and also proceeding the effort of promoting the Delta Airlines' presence in the market. The Sales' Manager of the Delta Airlines in Europe, Kevin Smith cited the following: 'Dimitris possess great experience capacities and the qualifications of a leader that will enrich the reputation and the efficiency of the appointed post. It is a great pleasure for us to have him supervising the marketing and sales' activities in the Greek market.'
Karagioules has become familiar with the Greek commercial and tourist market, after nine years of work at the Delta Airlines and eleven in total years of active occupation in the trade.
Karagioules has studied in Athens, London and New York and he is expected to give an international dimension at the supervision of the commercial business activities of Delta Airlines in Greece and in Cyprus. Born in Chios and father of two children, Karagioules has already undertaken his new responsibilities since the beginning of February. Karagioules took the place of Stefanos Kostopoulos, who left the company on his own initiative, at the beginning of February. Kostopoulos has served the Company from the post of Delta Airlines' commercial Manager for Greece and Cyprus for eleven years of the thirty-six in total of a career during which he was distinguished as an important factor in promoting travelling transportation between Greece and the USA. Carolyn Ezzel, Delta Airlines' vice - president in Europe commented: 'We are sorry to lose Stefanos and we wish him success in his effort to investigate new activities and opportunities, after such a long and distinguished career in Delta's bosom'.
Delta is the only American company to offer direct flights between Greece and USA. Delta offers a direct flight from Athens to the JFK New York's airport four times a week.
Delta's flight, DL 133, leaves from Athens at 11.55 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, arriving at the JFK in New York at 3.50 a.m. The 'return' flight, DL 132 leaves New York's JFK at 3.50 a.m. and lands in Athens the next morning at 10.05. At these itineraries, the Delta Airlines flights use the aircraft type Boeing 767-300 where it is offered the awarded Delta's service, 'Business Elite'. Delta Airlines a leadership company at over-Atlantic flights and second in size in the whole world air -carrier of transferred passengers offers on a daily basis and through the activities of the companies: Delta, Delta Express Delta Shuttle and Delta Connection and its cooperative companies in all the world, more than 5.536 flights to 413 destinations in 73 different countries. Delta Airlines is a founding member of the Sky Team, an international coalition of air -caring companies that offer their client a very wide option of destinations, flights and services.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR AIRCRAFT
Changes in the regulations of air traffic in Europe will be applied to all air craft flying over 29,000 feet should result in an annual profit of 3,5 billion dollars.
As the Eurocontrol's executives estimate, these changes are expected to increase by 20% the available place of air traffic.
According to the previous regulation, two aircraft flying over 29,000 feet were required to keep a distance between them of at least 2,000 feet. According to the regulations of Eurocontrol, this distance is now restricted to 1,000 feet.
According to the statements of the flights' security responsible executive, John Paulson, these measures are taken in order to allow the simultaneous air circulation to more than two aircrafts and to decrease the time - lags for the benefit of the passengers.

THE KYRIAKOULIS GROUP CHANGES HEADQUARTERS
The Kyriakoulis Group's companies - including the Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A., which went public-- have changed their headquarters. The Kyriakoulis Group's business activities are now housed at new, privately - owned, premises on 7, Alimou Avenue, P.C. 17455, in Alimos. Specifically, at the new premises were transferred the following companies:
'Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A., the 'Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping Ltd', 'The Mediterranean villages ', the 'Kyriakoulis Maritime Shared S.A.' the ' Mediterranean Development S.A.', the 'K&G Mediterranean Marinas' Management S.A.' the ' Greek Investments Constructions S.A.' and the 'ASDAM .COM S.A. informatics'. The telephone numbers have not changed.

TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT. A STRATEGIC PROCEDURE
SETE during its convention 'Tourism and development, a strategic procedure', has set the goal of 19,400,000 tourist arrivals and of 15 billion dollars investment for Greek tourism until 2010. This means that Greece will increase its part in the European market, from 3% in 2000 to 3,68% in 2010 and in the world - wide market, from 1,87% to 1,92%.
The increasing tendency for a few - days vacation and our country's disadvantage on travelling time and distance from the main tourists sources, makes essential the maintenance of the average staying duration, in today's level of 10 days stay. According to the president of SETE, Mr. S. Andreadis, the goals will be feasible, only in event where the country immediately develops a series of supportive tourist substructure that will enhance the development of particular kinds of tourism.
To support the pursued demands' increase until 2010, 128,000 hotel beds will be needed and will contribute to the amelioration of Greek hotel quality. The attraction of high-level tourists will increase the expenses per head, from 737 dollars in the year 2000, to 773 dollars, in 2010. Our country's great lack in particular tourist substructure, in comparison to our competitors, is the main cause for the fact that Greek tourism is mainly seasonal and so a 51% of arrivals take place during July, August and September.
The amelioration of investments through essential changing and simplifying the Law on Development procedures, the attraction of at peak foreign investments, the permanent update of all tourist business as well as the intense promotion, in particular the one related to the Olympic Games, are the keystones of a policy in order to achieve these goals. Included, of course, our fixed attention on quality and on price - quality good relation.
Participation in this convention included tourism's politic leadership, the opposition parties, representatives of tourism and other productive forces, tourism businessmen and top executives of tourism's business.
At this convention, it was also presented for the first time, a study made by 'Andersen', an international council's agency, treating propositions that could form a policy for the Greek tourism. The study registers all the characteristics and economic sizes of tourism in Greece and in Greece's competitive countries and concludes in a series of findings through a comparative method.
Also of great interest was the presentation of John Morse, ex-administrator council of the Australian Tourism Commission, who was invited by SETE, which presented the communicative policy of Australia's tourism and its connection to the Olympic Games of Sydney. In the near future he also is to submit a study treating the tourism's progress in Australia, one year after the organization of the Games.
The Minister of Development, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, announced the opening of the convention. The president of the New Democracy, the opposition party, Mr. Karamanlis made a speech, as well as Mr. G. Dimitrakopoulos, undersecretary of the Ministry of Development.

HOTEL - OWNERS COUNTER -ATTACK FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
The Athens hotel owners, have expressed their concern for the delay of construction of the works of substructure. They noted that for this reason the announced recovery of tourism will not be achieved. At a press conference given by the Athens Hotel Association (AHA), it was noted that none of the measures, announced 16 months ago, for the Olympic Games' exploitation to the advantage of Athens and Attica's tourist exploitation, had been applied.
It was also underlined that the only program realized by now is that of hotel units' update, but this one is realized by the hotel - owners' finance.
Little progress was made on tourist animation in Attica province, and it is also mentioned, that the average hotel's capacity is continuously retreating.
Spiros Divanis, president of AHA, has presented facts, relevant to the realized investments, according to which, the amount of the accomplished or the in-progress invested programs of the hotels, (also, contracting with the 'Athens 2004' organization) totals near 171 billion drachmas, while of these expenditures just 2,2%, or 3,8 billion drachmas, is the government's subsidy.
Mr. Divanis also considered the government's announcements on the subsidy by the third framework of communal support to hotels, as 'dead letter' while he mentioned that the total amounts of the investments, is four times higher comparing to the expected incomes of the program on hospitality, that is estimated to around 40 billion drachmas. He also added that, delaying the realization of the third framework of communal support and the restricted time margin that remains until the year 2004, will not allow to a great number of hotel units to be part of the new law for development and so, they will not be updated on time.
At the same time, Mr. Divanis mentioned among others, the following:
1. The Olympic Games will not solve Athens' accommodation problem. For example, in Sydney of Australia, nine hotels closed after the Olympic Games, due to tourist number decrease.
2. Delaying the construction of a major convention's center in Athens, is a suspending factor, in spite of the promises by the people in charge, to the contrary.
3. The last bill on business management, comprises counter - motives for the hotels, such as the decrease of the depreciation's percentage, form 8% to 4%.
4. The marketing plan on Athens' promotion has not progressed at all resulting to the fact that, during this critical year, advertising did not support the Greek capital.
5. During the year 2001, the number of tourists visiting Athens, decreased for 9,1%, while for this year it is expected a further decrease of 20%.

CHOSEN BY THE GODS
A country's tourist development and in particular that of Greece should be a well - balanced, decentralized procedure. As such, however, it should not be one without structure and cohesion. Particularly nowadays, wherein tourism stands on interesting new turns. Tourism in Greece has become an important factor to the national economy.
Greek tourism is entering a very interesting period where there are new dangers and challenges as well as a new economic balance. The Olympic Games of 2004, if they will be made productive, are a major, propulsive event towards tourism development and growth. On the whole, it is an opportunity to promote foreign affairs as well as our country's tourist image.
These are the views stated by the Tourism's Department Secretary General of the Ministry of Development Dimitris Georgarakis who also added that the actual strategy on development is on the right direction and he outlined the following policy:
- A careful amelioration of today's capacities
- Differentiation and enrichment of the tourist product, including thematic and alternative ways of offer, focusing on time and place expansion.
- Update and ameliorate the viability, privatization and attraction of foreign and local private investments.
- General update of competitiveness.
Mr. Georgarakis mentioned that a precise, district and central quantitative planning is urgent. This should comprise a program with specific goals and time limits for the realization of the programs now planned, and for the distributed realizations of these works. There is, however, politics and strategy. The procedure of developing the offer, as Mr. Georgarakis added, is on the one hand, a time - consuming procedure and on the other, could not result in the development of demand in proportion. So, a parallel strategy on developing the demand is necessary; that is, the development of a National System of Tourism's Promotion.
Mr. Georgarakis suggests that if we had to choose between a strategy of developing the possibility and the strategy for developing the demand, we would have to choose the second one for fundamental reasons such as:
1. The existing tourist product and capacities, are not negligible, despite some complaints, and neither are its possibilities as yet exhausted.
2. A well-organized and planned system of National Tourist Promotion has a considerable narrower time limit of application and it is more efficient.
3. Likely, such a system and strategy costs less and it is more productive.
4. A well organized, planned and world - wide tourist promotion, shows intensively the national traits and contributes to the national purposes. The rapid evolution due to the globalization, should be affronted on the aggressive, as a challenge and not on the defensive, as a danger. In spite of the attraction of foreign visitors and exchange, we should promote our diversity and national identity, the actual image of our country and the progress it had made (for which there are proofs), as well as its contribution to peace and safety. In fact, we promote foreign affairs coupled with our national image.
Hellenic Travelling