GOOD SIGNS FOR TOURISM – NEED FOR PROMOTION
Positive
signs has released EOT, which show that this year's tourist traffic is growing
and the summer of 2014 is predicted to be the best in recent years from tourism
point of view.
The
data show that 70 % of Serbs chose Halkidiki last year, while the Serbian
market package tours to Northern Greece were increased 20%. Greece appears to
be the first choice for Romanians, since it was choice for 72% of them, an
increase of 57.27 %. Furthermore, an increase of 10 % is recorded in arrivals of
Germans, with German agencies having fully restored and surpassed pre-crisis
levels for the region of Halkidiki.
The
above data show a clear shift of foreign tour operators to northern Greece,
although the investment and visibility of Greece are our weak elements.
Particular care should be given to improving promotion in all possible ways, as
our neighbors competitors exploit all modes of promotion and advertising. Of
course, if some Hoteliers Association wants to project themselves and to go to
any fairs abroad, no one can prevent it.
The
positive thing is that in Halkidiki has invested and continue to invest Russian
investors, so acquiring hotel units and closing long-term lease agreements.
Such agreements when dealing with hotels currently operating is easier, because
most have pre-existing licenses and have overcome most of the bureaucratic
problems. The major issues with huge delays begin when investments are made
from scratch and especially from foreign investors, who may be familiar with
the Greek reality…