Arrivals from abroad have been increased by at least 10% due to the attractive tourist packages and the developments in North Africa, however the movements of the Greeks have fallen by 20% because of the economic insecurity, resulting in heavy pressures on destinations, which count on domestic tourism, such as North Aegean islands.
It should be noted that during the three-week strike of taxi drivers, bookings dropped by 20% (250,000-300,000 bookings) for the period mid August-October.
For this reason, offers and discounts in packages continue, as tourist enterprises try to obtain what was lost during the strike, president of the relevant association Andreas Andreadis noted. The only way to do that is better prices, he highlighted. The reaction is positive and there is an image of improving at the rate of bookings.
But the taxi protests hit the most vulnerable part of Greek tourism: cruises. Given that during this period the routes of 2012 are under planning, representatives of major cruise lines expressed serious doubts whether Greece can support the product and make it easier for visitors.
Andreadis stated that the worsening of global climate would mean a lot to Greek tourism, therefore the country should not delay to creating a marketing company to help the penetration of Greek tourist products in new markets.
We need a brand name, said the President of Association of Tourist Enterprises, adding that tourism has no partisan colour and reforms should be implemented quickly.
(source: capital)
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