April 2004

The election results bring “Α Breath of Fresh Air”
The newly elected government's pledge to create a Tourism Ministry and the Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis's decision to appoint former Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos as the head of this new ministry have been welcomed by Greek tourism industry and representative associations across the board. The decision, which was part of the New Democracy party's campaign platform, illustrates the new government's commitment to bolster a vital economic sector that has languished in the last three or four years, due in part to international events such as the September 11 terrorist attack on the U.S., the war in Iraq, the SARS outbreak, and the general economic downturn and in part to the government's failure to address the sector's problems.
As we go to press, the new government has yet to go to parliament to seek a vote of confidence - a vote that is preceded by each minister's presentation of his program for the next four years. Without having heard the government's program, it is impossible to offer judgment on whether the proposed policies will be effective or indeed to gauge what government policy on tourism will be. But if the new prime minister's initial actions are any indication - including his decision to personally retain the Culture Ministry portfolio - then we can say that it is clear that he recognizes the importance of the Olympic Games and the tourism sector to Greece's economic development and prosperity.
In addition to fully exploiting the unique promotional opportunities from hosting the Olympic Games, the new tourism minister will have to contend with a host of other problems. Foremost among these is the future of Hellenic Properties, the real estate arm of the Greek National Tourism Organization (ΕΟΤ). The previous government's decision to use Hellenic Properties as a vehicle for privatizing publicly-held tourism assets had generated considerable criticism, both from within the sector but also from the general public. During the election campaign, New Democracy had expressed its intention to examine how Hellenic Properties manages its assets, while some industry associations have already urged the new government to reconsider Hellenic Properties' role solely as the manager of publicly-owned tourism assets. But before any final decision can be made, there needs to be a thorough and sober assessment of privatized assets, such as Attica-area beaches, to determine whether they have been effective in generating income. At the same time, the social impact of these privatizations on local communities must also be taken into account.
The change in government alone seems to have let a breath of fresh air into the tourism sector. That breath may simply be the Greek tourism industry's hopes of what a new direction may bring. Fortunately for the industry, the pressing deadlines set by the 2004 Olympic Games will soon reveal whether the government's actions live up to its expressed intentions and to the industry's hopes and expectations.
Hellenic Travelling

Political parties outline positions on tourism
Representatives of Greece's political parties outlined their positions on tourism prior to the March 7 national elections at an event organized by the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ) during the associations' annual general meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the then-governing Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Nikos Mademlis emphasized the importance of tourism for the country's economy and regional development. He said PASOK had prepared a six-year development plan for the tourism sector and that the outlook was optimistic, based on data from the World Travel Organization.
New Democracy, which won the March 7 elections, was represented by Anastasios Liaskos, a parliamentary candidate in Evia. After outlining his party's plans for tourism, he said that PASOK had not taken drastic measures to handle the crisis in the sector. He also noted that the unique opportunity provided by the Olympic Games for promoting Greece as a destination was being lost and that joint campaigns linking tourism and the Games' organizing committee had yet to be developed.
Liaskos said his party proposed, among other things, to upgrade the National Tourism Council, codify tourism-related legislation, create an institutional framework for private sector participation in the infrastructure development, as well as finalizing a system for classifying hotels according to stars.
Nikos Karathanasopoulos, the Communist Party's representative, said comprehensive economic growth was needed to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises such as travel agents.
Representing the Left Coalition, Spyros Lykoudis, said tourism policy had languished in the Β-list of the government's development policy. He said the Greek National Tourism Organization's real estate arm, ΕΤΑ, should be disbanded and replaced with a subsidiary to manage public properties.

ΡΟΕΤ offers cooperation to new government
ΡΟΕΤ, the Panhellenic Confederation of Tourism Enterprises, expressed its willingness to work with the appropriate government officials to help rebuild Greece's tourism industry.
In a statement issued on March 9, ΡΟΕΤ said it would work with all involved ministers to help Greek tourism "find its lost road."

Greek hoteliers congratulate new government
The Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation (ΡΟΧ) expressed its satisfaction at the first steps taken by the newly elected government regarding the tourism sector in a statement congratulating New Democracy on its win in the Marc 7 elections.
In the statement ΡΟΧ said the new government was beginning its tenure with the best omens, but that its members should bear in mind that they need to act quickly and effectively because the tourism sector's problems are pressing and do not allow for honeymoons or grace periods.
Greece's hoteliers said that the government's decision to create an independent Tourism Ministry as well as the appointment of former Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos as its head "guaranteed a framework for cooperation that we hope will soon lead to radical solutions for lingering problems that have hampered the development of Greece's tourism sector in the last three years."
The statement also expressed the hope that the new government's future actions and initiatives will be as positive. It also encouraged the "coordinated action" of all organizations in the sector so that tourism can become a lever for spurring economic growth, including job creation.

ΗΑΤΤΑ makes charges of unfair competition
Yiannis Evangelou, president of the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ), accused the Greek state of practices akin to unfair competition in the tourism sector. His charges were made at the opening of a ΗΑΤΤΑ event where representatives of Greece's political parties had been invited to present their platforms on tourism policy.
Opening the event, Evangelou said cited as example some of the activities by the Foreign Ministry and Agrotouristiki Α.Ε. (a subsidiary of Hellenic Properties, the real estate arm of the Greek National Tourism Organization) as constituting unfair competition. He added that in some instances ΗΑΤΤΑ had taken legal action.
The event was organized during ΗΑΤΤΑ's annual general meeting, held at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens.

ΗΑΤΤΑ proposals posted online
Key speeches and proposals by officials of the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ) are available online from the association's web site, www.hatta.gr.
Documents available online include a proposal by ΗΑΤΤΑ president Yiannis Evangelou on "The Future of Tourism Enterprises: Protecting the Profession," a speech by Michel de Blust, ECTAA general secretary, on "Developments in Air Travel," and a paper by Elisavet Hatzinocolaou, research and investment director of the Greek National Tourism Organization (ΕΟΤ) on clustering.
All three papers were presented at the ΗΑΤΤΑ general meeting.

Greek mission sets off for Mount Everest
Twelve Greek mountain climbers have set off on a mission to scale the world's highest peak and plant the flags of Greece, Athens, and the Olympic Games atop the mountain.
The delegation, led and financed by Greek Canadian businessman Pavlos Angelatos, briefed reporters on its mission on March 11, shortly before departing from Greece. The mission is being held under the auspices of the Greek Mountaineering Federation.

ΗΑΤΤΑ president highlights SME’S role in tourism sector
Yiannis Evangelou, president of the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ) said the action was necessary to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises, which play a vital role in the tourism sector.
Speaking on the future of tourism enterprises at the association's annual general meeting held at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens, Evangelou said that the absence of a comprehensive policy aimed at protecting the travel profession and the ceding of various initiatives to regional authorities had led to such disorder that it had created the conditions ripe for tour operators to take advantage of the situation. Noting the urgent need to take exploit Greece's natural and cultural assets in order to boost tourism, he said "small and medium-sized enterprises will be called on to play a leading role in this effort, but if one compares the statements about protecting small and medium enterprises with what happens in practice, Ι cannot be optimistic about their future."
As an example, Evangelou cited the Foreign Ministry's practice to simply assign projects for hosting Diaspora youth to a regional development society instead of awarding these projects through competitions as in the past. Another example he said were the intercity bus cooperatives, or KTEL, which were encroaching on the turf of the tour buses.
Evangelou said that all of Greece's estimated 3,700 travel agencies, which comprise the distribution network for Greece's tourism product, are all small or medium-sized enterprises. Their position, he added, should be strengthened so that they can become core centers for penetrating foreign markets.

Greek month a hit on German rail
German commuters enthusiastically responded to a promotional campaign highlighting Greece as a travel destination. The campaign, dubbed Greek Month, was run in February on the German railway system. It was organized for the Greek National Tourism Organization (ΕΟΤ) by Martakis Tourism Consultants and participating companies included Grecotel, Tsantali Wines, and Plomari Ouzo. This was the fourth "Greek Month on German rail" campaign organized by ΕΟΤ since 1999.
During Greek month, Greek dishes were featured in the bistros of German railcars. Preliminary reports indicate that consumption of food and beverages exceeded estimates, which had been drawn up based on similar campaigns.
German journalists were treated to a sample Greek menu at a news conference in Frankfurt to mark "Greek Month." The press conference was hosted by the Parthenon restaurant. Products appearing for the first time in the German promotion included Attiki Honey and Olympus Feta.

Lasithi association elects new board
Miranda Spitha has been elected President of the Lasithi Association of Tourist Accommodation Enterprises.
The association said in a statement that Ioannis Levendis had been elected Vice President and Zaharias Fthenakis had been elected General Secretary. Nikolas Pediaditis was elected Treasurer. Also serving on the board are Pipina Pangalou, Konstantinos Menegakis, and Nikolas Sotiriadis, with alternate members Manolis Dermitzakis and Konstantinos Galaktopoulos.

Court rules on agent’s injunction against airlines over commission
Α Greek court has ruled against allowing airlines to reduce their commission to travel agents below seven percent. The ruling was issued following an injunction filed by the Greek Union of Travel Agents (PETAGA), the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ), and other industry associations following the announcement by several airlines that intended to reduce agent commissions.
Under the ruling, travel agents' commission cannot be less than seven percent for issuing, providing, or distributing airline tickets.
Α PETAGA statement said lawsuits would be filed against those airlines that had reduced commissions.

Greek Egyptian travel agents sign cooperation protocol
Greek and Egyptian travel agents have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing tourism in their Mediterranean, and especially in their regions, the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ) said in a statement.
It said that under the agreement, travel agents from the two countries would exchange data and information on planning in the tourism sector via a joint body to be formed by ΗΑΤΤΑ and its Egyptian counterpart, ΕΤΑΑ.
The cooperation protocol was signed as a result of working meetings between the two sides held in early March at the Titania Hotel in Athens. The meetings reviewed bilateral tourism issues as well as shared concerns about the sector. One-to-one partnerships between travel agents were also discussed as well as what needs to be done to make Greece and Egypt an attractive destination for third countries, for example China.
The sessions were attended by the Egyptian ambassador to Greece, Magda Shahin. The meetings were followed by a reception, attended by the general secretary for tourism, Konstantinos Botopoulos and the head of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Nikos Dimadis, and the deputy tourism minister of China.

ΕΧΑ at Milan trade show
The Athens Hoteliers Association (ΕΧΑ) participated at the Italian tourism exhibit ΒΙΤ 2004 held in Milan in mid February.
ΕΧΑ participation in the show as a co-exhibitor in the Greek National Tourism Organization (ΕΟΤ) pavilion. Pamphlets advertising hotels in the greater Athens area and Saronic islands were distributed by ΕΧΑ to visitor.
An ΕΧΑ statement on the show noted that attendance was lower than previous years and that visitor interest had focused on independent travellers and small agents.
Although ΕΧΑ noted that the large Italian tour operators barely ventured from the Italian pavilion, the outlook for tourism from Italy is encouraging according to local agents based on demand for air and ferry service from Italy to Greece. ΕΧΑ also noted the trend towards religious and cultural tourism.
ΕΧΑ members may obtain from the association office a list of major tour operators with programs in the Athens and Attica, as well as Italian agents who visited the ΕΧΑ stand at Milan.

Ιonian islands make a splash at European shows
ΕΤΙΝ, the Ionian Islands Tourism Enterprise, has completed its first round of participations in foreign travel exhibitions. ΕΤΙΝ had organizes its own stand at the Holiday World expo held February 12-15 in Prague, ΒΙΤ held February 14-17 in Milan, and the Munich expo held February 14-18.

Agrotouristiki presents Ecotourism development plan
Agrotouristiki S.Α. has presented its study for developing ecotourism as well as a plan for establishing standards for this growing subsector of the tourism market. The survey comprised an "Action Plan for Organizing and Developing Ecotourism" and aimed at outlining a framework for developing environmental tourism in Greece.
The study was conducted under the Development Ministry's "Antagonistikotita" (Competitiveness) program in the framework of the European Union's Third Community Support Fund.
Agrotouristiki identified key areas of action and outlined proposals for developing ecotourism, including means for developing human resources and fostering employment. The survey, presented at an event organized by the Development Ministry, also proposed institutional and regulatory frameworks for this subsector.

Greek pavilion attracts interest at Shanghai fair
Chinese travel agents and journalists showed considerable interest in the Greek pavilion at the World Travel Fair in Shanghai where the Greek National Tourism Organization (ΕΟΤ) aggressively promoted the Olympic Games and Olympic cities at its pavilion.
During the fair, ΕΟΤ presented its Chinese-language information brochure, which was presented to journalists and travel agents. It also showed a film on Greece and Greek destinations dubbed in Chinese.

Vernicos re-elected to represent chartering group
Yorgos Vernicos, president and managing director of Vernicos Yachts has been elected as the representative of the professional leisure craft charters to the Greek Maritime Chamber.
Following his re-election on February 25, Vernicos issued a statement thanking his colleagues for their vote and pledged his best effort to promote sea tourism in Greece.
In his statement, Vernicos said yacht charters must work closely with the new government towards improving infrastructure and facilities for marine tourism, such as marinas, as well as towards limiting bureaucratic hurdles. He said the sector needed to find ways to fully exploit the opportunities provided by the Olympic Games to promote Greece as a destination.
"Greece has the significant advantage of marine tourism. The Greek archipelago and light are unique. We have not exploited them to the degree necessary and in an increasingly competitive world we are in danger of losing control of our seas - that is the most significant advantage we have. The messages we have received are not good. Cooperation, sobriety, hard work, and strategic planning are needed," he said.

Greece at Arabian travel market
Greece plans a higher profile than previous years at the Arabian Travel Market 2004 to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates from May 4 through 7.
Greece is one of 43 countries with an official participation in the show. ΑΤΜ 2004 will mark the return of various national pavilions that have skipped previous years' shows (such as Iran and France), and the first-ever participation by Libya. This year's exhibition is expected to be the larges in the last decade.
"Greece's extended participation is absolutely logical as the country is in the final stretch of organizing the Olympic Games and anticipates thousands of tourists, something that will upgrade it internationally," said Matt Thompson, a director with Reed Travel Exhibitions. "What is especially encouraging is the participation in the fair of the Greek private sector, which in the past was limited to the presence of a single resort and a supplier of sailing equipment."

Attica Enterprises earnings up 65 percent, Superfast lead holds in Adriatic
The Attica Enterprises Group has posted 100.8 million euros in earnings before interest, tax, and depreciation for 2003, up from 60.9 million euros in 2002. The figures represent a 65 percent increase in EBITDA. The company has also posted a 317 percent increase in net profits, which reached 28.3 million euros in 2003 compared to 6.9 million euros the previous year.
Α company statement said total turnover for the group in 2003 was 385.5 million euros compared to 318.6 million euros in 2002. The turnover was generated by the operation of the Superfast Ferries (253.7 million euros) and Blue Star Ferries (131.8 million euros) fleets.
The company said that Superfast Ferries had maintained its leading position in the Greece-Italy routes in the Adriatic Sea for the sixth consecutive year. The Superfast fleet also recorded an impressive increase in volumes carried on its northern European routes. Superfast Ferries ranked first in the transportation of passenger and accompanied freight on the Germany-Finland route for the second consecutive year.
In the Adriatic Sea, Superfast Ferries had a 31.3 percent market share of passenger traffic, representing an increase of six percent over 2002. It also has a 29.9 percent market share of freight traffic - up 13 percent over 2002 - and a 25.7 percent market share of private vehicle traffic - up 16 percent over the previous year.
Company data show Superfast making important inroads in its northern European routes. On the Germany-Finland sea link, which is served by the Superfast VII and Superfast VII, passenger traffic rose four percent over 2002 to reach 173,000 passengers. The vessels also carried 50,500 freight units and 57,000 private vehicles, representing, respectively, an increase of 20 percent and a drop of 11 percent, over the previous year.
On the Scotland-Belgium route, served by Superfast ΙΧ and Superfast Χ, the company said it had increased its passenger traffic by 82 percent over the previous year, transporting a total of 196,000 passengers. The ships also increased the number of freight and private vehicles carried to 196 percent and 50 percent, respectively, as its ships transported 32,500 freight units and 37,600 private vehicles in 2003.
Attica Enterprises also holds a controlling stake in Strintzis Lines Shipping S.Α., which operates the Blue Star Ferries. For 2003, Strintzis Lines reported a 48.6 percent increase in earnings before interest, tax, and depreciation, which reached 31 million euros. Turnover also rose 11 percent over 2002 to reach 131.8 million euros. The company's net profits for 2003 stood at 4.9 million euros compared to four million euros in 2002. In its statement, the company attributed the positive results to an increase in passenger and private vehicle volumes carried in the Greek islands, especially to destinations in the Cyclades group that are served by the Blue Star Paros, Blue Star Naxos, and Blue Star Ithaki. The routing of the Blue Star 1 and Blue Star 2 in the Dodecanese and Crete also contributed to the 49.1 percent increase in passenger traffic carried by Blue Star in 2003 compared to the previous year.

Blue Star marks Ηania route anniversary
Blue Star Ferries recently marked the one-year anniversary of the introduction of the Blue Star 2 on the Piraeus-Hania route. The ship's first sailing on the route was completed on March 2.
In a statement, the company said that during the first twelve months of the route's operation, Blue Star 2 had not missed a single sailing and had a carried 490,443 passengers, 60.313 private vehicles, and 7.764 trucks between Hania and Piraeus.

ECTAA official revues the International Air Industry
ECTAAA's general secretary, Michel de Blust, said the last 36 months had been one of the worst periods in the history of the air industry. His comments were made during a presentation at the annual general meeting of the Hellenic Association of Tourism and Travel Agents (ΗΑΤΤΑ) in Athens.
De Blust said air travel in Europe was affected by four factors: ΙΑΤΑ-member airlines, no-frill airlines, travel agents, and ΙΑΤΑ.
Noting that while full-service airlines had experienced severe economic problems in the last three years, budget airlines had shown and recorded continued growth.

Latest flight switches at London Heathrow airport
On 28 March 2004, British Airways will be moving a number of international flights between London Heathrow Terminals 4 and 1.
Among the flights which will be switching terminal are the flights from Athens to London.
Specifically, as of March 28, 2004 all ΒΑ flights from Athens to London will be landing at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport. ΒΑ has invested some 1.5 million Euro in upgrading the services in Terminal 1, which translate to 36 new check-in counters and 15 self-service check-in kiosks which will shorten the check-in time. For the First, Club World and Club Europe as well as the Gold and Silver members of the Executive Club, ΒΑ has created a specially arranged area in the R Zone which relieves them from redundant procedures. The well-known “Terraces Lounge” for the VIP passengers have also been refurbished so as to offer unsurpassed services before departure.
As Mr. Basilis Dalaris, General Manager of ΒΑ for the East Med, said “quicker procedures and higher quality were the elements which lead us to switch to Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport, thus making it attractive for the Greek market”.
In addition, switching these carefully selected services will make it more convenient for many transfer passengers connecting between long-haul and short-haul flights, who will no longer need to change terminals at Heathrow.
To support these additional long-haul services, a major programme of infrastructure improvements is taking place at Terminal 1 including new lounges and check-in facilities.
Which flights are being swapped and when From 28 March 2004 the following destinations will transfer from Heathrow Terminal 4 into Terminal 1: Athens, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Moscow, San Francisco.

”Triton” set for Easter Cruise
The “Triton” is scheduled to set sail on a ten-day Easter cruise on April 9, followed by a seven-day "Golden Fleece" cruise on April 23, Royal Olympia Cruises announced.
The "World Renaissance" is also scheduled for a 10-day Easter Cruise, calling at the ports of Piraeus, Istanbul, Messina, Capri, Nice, Rome, and Hydra and crosses the Corinth isthmus.
On its return, the 'Triton' will resume its regular schedule of three- and four-day cruises. The itineraries of the four-day "Aegean Classic" cruises include the ports of Piraeus, Myconos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Santorini. The three-day "Aegean Discovery" cruises depart from Piraeus and call at the ports of Myconos, Rhodes, Kusadasi, and Patmos.
Agents can contact Eleanna Dima at edimas@roc.gr for detailed itineraries and rates.

Guides to lower Italy launched
Robert Aprile's new guide series, "Lower Italy, Magna Grecia" and "Sicily" were presented at a book party hosted by Infognomon Editions in Athens on March 12.
The event was organized with the participation of the Italian Cultural Institute. The journalist Sophia Iordanidou introduced the author and other speakers, including tour operator Dimitris Gounaras, writer Paris Takopoulos, and shipowner Nikos Vavates.
The event, which was open to the public, featured live music from southern Italy performed by Emanuele Licci and Antonio Esperti. The presentation includes a slide show and buffet of traditional foods from southern Italy.

Grecotel opens Russian office
Grecotel, Greece's leading hotel chain, has opened a branch office in Moscow at 15 Mahovaya Street. The office opening was attended by representatives of Russia's 200 largest travel agencies, members of the Russian government, and the Greek ambassador to Russia, Dimitris Paraskevopoulos.
Nikos Daskalantonakis, president of the hotel group, said Grecotel was the first Greek hotel company to open an office in Russia.
"After thirty years of the Daskalantonakis Group's involvement in the hotel industry, the opening of an office in Moscow marks the start of a new era for the company," he said. "At the same time, we are investing in the bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Efforts, however, must be made immediately to simplify procedures for issuing visas as is the case with countries like Turkey, Germany, Spain, and Portugal."
Russia is an important, growing market for Greek tourism. Grecotel's opening to this market is rooted in its properties on Crete, as well as in the Dodecanese and on the island of Corfu.
Plans for bolstering Russian travel agents links to Greek destinations focus mainly on Athens in light of the 2004 Olympic Games. Grecotel has five new properties in the Greek capital and is opening three new luxury resort-hotels in Kyllini on the Northwestern coast of the Peloponnese near the ancient site of Olympia.
Daskalantonakis is Russia's honorary consul in Crete and the Dodecanese.

Ηyatt turnover up in Greece
Hyatt Regency Hotels & Tourism (Hellas) has reported a 34.9 percent increase in consolidated turnover for 2003, totalling 231.92 million euros compared to 171.9 million euros for the previous year.
The group's consolidated pre-tax profits also grew by 33.3 percent over 2002, to reach 73.2 million euros.
For 2003, pre-tax profits for Hyatt Regency Hotels & Tourism (Hellas) S.Α. rose by 9.6 percent to 60.7 million euros, compared to 55.2 million euros the previous year. All profits are operating profits.
The company also reported a 2.13 percent increase in turnover, which totalled 175.6 million euros, and a 5.1 percent increase in gross operating profits compared to 2002. It said its gross margin rose to 49.68 percent in 2003 against 48.27 percent in 2002.
Company results include 2.09 million euros in interest payments on a 46.2 million euro bank loan for the purchase of the Mont Parnes complex.
Equity funds at December 31 were 138.2 million euros compared to 126.2 million euros in 2002, representing an of 9.46 percent.
Hellenic Casino of Parnitha S.Α. (HCP) is included in the consolidated results and its turnover. For the two months of 2004, revenues from gaming have increased by 31.5 percent comparing to the same period of 2003.

Santa Marina Plaza offers five-star accommodation near Hania
The Santa Marina Plaza, a five-star hotel, is located on the Ayia Marina beach, about eight kilometers from Hania.
The hotel has 49 luxury rooms fitted with marble bathrooms and two suites. Every room is air conditioned and equipped with mini-bar, satellite television, radio, telephone line, internet connection, safe, and hair dryer.
The hotel also offers room service, laundry service, and child-minding. Other facilities include a 12-seat conference room, jacuzzi, and gym.
Cretan and international dishes are served in the restaurant and snack bar, while a beach bar serves drinks. The hotel organizes regular Cretan nights with music, barbecue, and other entertainment.

Divani launches online game
The Divani Hotel Group is running an online competition with Easter getaway packages as prizes for travellers who visit the company website. The game, which runs March 3-31, features questions that participants can answer by surfing the hotel group's pages, www.divanis.gr, as well as www.divanis-spa.gr, www.compactdiscclub.gr, and www.dvdclub.gr. Winners will be drawn on April 2 from all correct responses. The prize is two three-day Easter holiday packages at the Divani Corfu Palace and the Divani Meteora.
To join the game, click on www.divanis.gr/game

New board for Club Hotel Loutraki
Antonis Stergiotis has been elected the new chairman of the board and managing director of Club Hotel Loutraki S.Α. at the company's emergency general shareholders meeting in December, following the company's reorganization.
Drior Mizeretz, vice president of the Israeli company Queenco Ltd., was elected vice chairman while Itzhak Wold of the Israeli group Club Hotels, Dr Leo Wallner of Casinos Austria and member of the International Olympic Committee, and Yorgos Liakopoulos of the Piraeus Bank were elected members.
Club Hotel Loutraki S.Α. manages the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki consortium in which it holds an 86 percent stake.

MAG at ExproClean 2004
The Italian Manufacturers Alliance, which represents small and medium-size manufacturers in the cleaning industry, will participate with a booth at ExproClean 2004. The booth, Number 36, will features a range of industrial sweepers and scrubbers, upright carpet cleaning systems, vacuum cleaners, rotaries, dispensers, and other accessories and equipment.

Kivotos Club a real “Νoah’s Ark”
This unique hotel with it’s elegant architecture was built respecting the environment and the traditions of Mykonos and is located on the magnificent Bay of Ornos, just 5 minutes away from Mykonos town, port and airport.
The warm hospitable atmosphere of a small family residence is combined here with the exquisite elegance and all the comforts of a luxurious villa. Kivotos has been fitted out with the latest in hotel equipment and every deluxe amenity. Each one of the 40 rooms and suites, have been individually decorated. The gourmet dinner restaurant “La Meduse”, with it╒s international cuisine and the lunch restaurant “Le Private” with Mediterranean cuisine boast outstanding gastronomic tastes. Wedding ceremony can be performed in their traditional chapel and guests can continue with a cocktail party on board their 25meter motor-sailor yacht “Prince de Neufchatel” while cruising the Aegean Sea.
For relaxation and exercise, Kivotos offers
3 swimming pools, a private beach, fitness center, spa facilities, beauty treatments, squash court, playroom and internet cafe.
The serene landscape, the discrete care and quality service of the personnel make guests feel at home, guaranteeing the most vivid memories of their exciting stay with them.
Kivotos meaning “Ark” is a real “Noah’s Ark”, a place of privacy, a second home...

From My Notebook – By Connie Soloyanis
- Commercial air travel is being reduced by both business and leisure travelling, some which has been swithed to so-called airlines.
- While the general downward trend in international tourism is still prevalent, there is at least one notable exception - that of . And, Hungary, which abounds in the most natural underground mineral hot springs, anticipates a 35 percent increase over the next five years.
- Optimists in the U.S.Α. anticipate some 42 million foreign arrivals from abroad in 2004, representing an impressive five percent increase.
- Within the U.S.Α. regularly - scheduled luxury limousine service between the cities of New York and Boston as an alternate to airline and train service, has been successfully launched.
- The U.S. Government insistence on armed aloft may result in several international airlines cancel service to the U.S.Α.
- Whatwith the general pessimism for the future of travel and tourism, it is interesting to note that the general sales of yachts in Europe in 2003 was up by some ten percent over the previous year.
- Airbus, one of the two major commercial aircraft builders, reports that it has averaged the selling a delivery of 300 airplanes a year for the past three years, but that, that prospects for that many sales are notably low for this and next year.
- The crowd of people anticipated to being housed on the fleet of the dozen anchored cruise vessels (in the port of Piraeus) for the Games is expected to create major logistic problems, particularly in ground transportation - thus far unsolved.
- The new Queen Mary 2, scheduled to be the star leader of a fleet of some dozen cruise ships accommodating visitors to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games, can accommodate some 3.000 people.
- There have been more on the Queen Mary 2 than kudos from its first guests and press in the United Kingdom. Negative critisism has been centered on decor, accommodations, food and service (the latter with the staffing of non-English speaking stewards).
- Some foreign travel agencies (such as in the U.Κ.) have become pessimistic about bookings for the Olympics, citings the highly inflated hotel rates, i.e. $400 a night.
- Travel does not follow politics: Transelro, the Russian airline, has introduced flights between Moscow and Taipei, even though Russia does not officially recognize Taiwan.
- The notable increase in general promotions and advertising against smoking is expected to increase the groupings on public sidewalks (fronting business buildings as is very obvious in New York City and London). And already there are Smokers Anonymous meetings being organized parallel to those of Alcoholic Anonymous.
- The smuggling of cigarettes has become the top contraband within the European Union, thanks, quite naturally, to the high taxes levied on said cigarettes. One routing is from Greece to the United Kingdom.
- Wisdom Department: If you look like your passport, you need the trip. When all is said and done, there is more said than done.