Featuring Attica’s tourism destinations – Avriani Publ.

October 9, 2011

Written by: Despina Afentouli

Column: Society, p. 27

[Picture – middle left- of the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion Athens]

[Picture – up left- of Despina Afentouli and people who attended the event]

It is clear that the difficult financial situation that we all live in reflects, not only on personal, but also on national level. However, the basic mechanisms for the reversal of the all this negative situation are existent and they are here. One crucial development tool is tourism.

I believe therefore, that aright the fund for tourism and culture was increased, as these are the basic pillars of our national economy, and our hopes to have a better future.  According to researches and official statistical data, the “heavy” industry for our country is the tourism, as combined with the culture and sports overpasses the twenty percent of the gross national product. For instance, I refer to the recommendation of a popular American magazine (Smithsonian), which has millions of readers in the world that the Parthenon is one of the first choices of tourism destinations that one has to visit, at least once in a lifetime. At this point I would like to stress that the [Attica] Region contributes in practice to the promotion of the ancient theatre of Dionyssos [which is based] below the Parthenon, offering the amount of 6 million Euros. Moreover, according to information of the Central Archaeological Council, the archaeological area of Sounion is special attraction of Greek and foreign visitors and is one of the first in terms of visiting places in Greece. Our main goal is therefore, the promotion of the tourism destinations of the whole Attica, featuring the local identity of each area, as well as our tourism quality products. Moreover, we focus on the creation of the conditions, which will lead to the extension of the tourism period. This is easy to understand for everyone what it means, not only for the local, but also for our national economy. Part of the new responsibilities of our Region is also the contract with a company for the Attica tourism promotion (Brand Name Athena). We are currently planning and carrying out a program on the featuring of the tourism destinations of the [Attica] Region. Furthermore, it is worth-mentioning that we fund with 2 million Euros the project for the creation of the archaeological museum of Athens in Plato’s Academy area.

[Subtitle:] Alternative forms [of tourism]

The tourism sector has multilevel activities, which are applied to the alternative form [of tourism], such as agrotourism, sports tourism, health tourism, congress tourism, and religious tourism.

For example, the fact that the Greek Ministry of Tourism has committed that it will utilize the Olympic buildings, such the Taekwondo [Olympic Stadium], contributes in a positive way to the development of the congress tourism, but also of the sports tourism.

Additionally, the simplification of the processes for the tourism visa for countries like Russia, Serbia, and Israel by the relevant Ministries, encourages the visiting to our country. Tourists from Eastern Europe come to Greece for religious [worship] tourism, we have also in Attica important byzantine monuments, such as Saint Athanasios in Paiania, Saint Apostles in Oropos, Kaisariani Monastery in Ymittos, the Daphni Monastery in Aegaleo, Kleiston Monastery in Hasia, and others. Moreover, it is worth to be hightlighted that there are special operational programs, which enforce the alternative forms of tourism. However, the field of tourism could of contribute most on quality services level, when basic infrastructure projects have been concluded.  For example, we can talk about investments on the alternative forms of tourism in Eastern Attica, however, at the same time, we have to solve problems of great importance on these areas, such as the sewerage, the water supply networks, the road networks, the extension of the suburban [railways], the modernization of the ports, the promotion of the beachfront. Most specifically, the Greek National Opera, and the National Digital Library [of Greece], the bog project which is being concluded in the field of the old Hippodrome in the Delta Falirou and the programmed redeveloped of the beachfront from the Taekwondo [Olympic Stadium] to the Peace and Friendship Stadium will form an international tourism reference center and this because it has been estimated that during the first year of operating all these infrastructures 200.000 students from all over the, who are occupied with the Greek literature and Greek Culture world, will visit [them]. It is also important to support and encourage, where needed, one of the basic pillars of the tourism field, which are the tourism business.

And of course, I have to highlight that we are heading towards that direction, in other words [we are heading towards] solving the serious issues that occupy the local community. Basic factor for the actualization and the positive outcome of this attempt is the co-operation of all the relevant bodies. Characteristic example of this [type of] co-operation is the organizing of the [Athens] Classic Marathon, which for many years was remained in the drawers. Therefore, we have to co-operate with all the bodies which participate in the creation of the touristic product to improve it. Practically, this means high quality tourism services, [to be] competitive in the world market and especially [competitive] in the Mediterranean area, so as to retain the stable improvement which was been noted this year to increase the percentage of the tourism sector’s GDP. That is how we succeed in sustainable tourism development.

*Mrs. Despina Afentouli is sociologist (Ph.D.)-journalist and Attica regional councilor.

Source:  KYRIAKATIKI AVRIANI / SUNDAY AVRIANI (in Greek: ΚΥΡΙΑΚΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΥΡΙΑΝΗ)