Report by Kirsten Bowling
THE HELLENIC Tourism Organisation has unveiled plans
to develop 300 properties in Greece as accommodation and tourist attractions.
During 2001 the HTO plans to begin upgrading and
modernising existing buildings which it already owns, as well as construct new
tourist attractions.
During 2000 Greece increased its market share of UK
visitors from 9% to 17%, with more than 2.5 million holidaymakers. Tour
operators also expanded their programmes for Greece, adding new islands and
properties. The HTO hopes the new initiative will increase the number of
visitors from the UK.
Director UK and Ireland Panos Argyros said: “The
project is called Greek Tourist Properties and we want to increase tourism in
the areas where we already own buildings and land. For example, we are planning
to build a theme park near Athens as well as a golf course and aquarium. We
want to develop Athens so that it changes the whole image of Greece and we want
to develop Rhodes so it is seen as one of the top golf destinations.”