Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-11-15

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece to replace Olympic Airlines with new company

[02] Tourism minister upbeat on sector's performance

[01] Greece to replace Olympic Airlines with new company

Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis, speaking to reporters, after an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss the issue with the governmentâs financial consultant to the sale, said the solution presented was the only alternative choice and that it was aimed to cover the countryâs air transport needs.

Private investors would have a majority stake in the new airline, along with the management and operation of the company, while the Transport ministry would begin a round of consultation with Olympic Airlinesâ workers over their labour and pension rights.

Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis said the government would seek approval of the plan by the European Union and stressed the government was committed to adhere to community competition rules.

[02] Tourism minister upbeat on sector's performance

Minister of Tourism Development Dimitris Avramopoulos concluded his series of meetings in London on Tuesday, deeply satisfied with the performance of the Greek tourism sector.

Tour operators were also pleased with the Greek tourism industry, as a result of the ministry's efforts, Avramopoulos told Greek correspondents.

He also announced that the wax figures of former Greek politicians - Eleftherios Venizelos, Constantine Karamanlis and Andreas Papandreou - will soon grace London's Madame Tussaud museum.

Avramopoulos noted that this event, the result of his ministry's efforts, is particularly important given that there was no Greek presence in the museum prior to this.

The minister also referred to the possibility of major movies being filmed in Greece, saying that while there is great interest to do so much better organisation is needed.

On Tuesday morning, Avramopoulos addressed an international business forum on tourism investment in Greece, saying that "Greece is opening its doors to the world."

"We are moving forward realistically and with confidence, doing the best we can in order to rise to international challenges," he said.

Avramopoulos presented the mininstry's new tourism policy, saying that the objective is to develop year-round tourism, to upgrade services and infrastructure, and to create investment opportunities.

The minister also referred to the new development law, saying that private investment is being bolstered through the adoption of incentives, continuous cooperation, the ministry's active support towards private individuals, and reduced bureaucracy.

Other speakers at the forum included Deputy Tourism Development Minister Anastasios Liaskos, EOT President Aristidis Kalogeropoulos-Stratis, Tourism Development Company (ETA) Managing Director Kostas Zacharopoulos and the ministry's Special Secretary Harris Kokkosis.

The conference was organised by the ministry, the National Tourism Organisation (EOT) and the Tourism Development Company in cooperation with the Paris-based newspaper, The International Herald Tribune.

It is the first of 10 forums organised by the IHT and The New York Times at major capitals around the world.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article