The Mayor of Athens talks about convention tourism and welcomes you to a new-look Athens

The Mayor of Athens talks about convention tourism and welcomes you to a new-look Athens

On an international level, convention tourism is currently a market with very high returns and brisk turnover. What is Greece's current position in this market?

The importance of convention tourism, as much for the benefit of the national as the local economy, has been recognised on an international level.

In addition, there are strong indications that the convention industry has huge potential in terms of the scope of both immediate and long-term promotion and advertising, whilst at the same time offering an excellent means of revenue for all businesses involved, whether directly or indirectly, in the organisation of conferences.

The number of conventions held in Greece, and in particular in Athens as the figurehead of the country's convention tourism, has increased dramatically over the past decade, whereas the last 4 years indicate that this positive trend is not a fleeting phenomenon, as its position has now stabilised. It is a fact, however, that Greece has the potential to develop still further, and to gradually become one of the leading convention destinations in the world. Athens, on its part, has new transportation networks, contemporary conference venues, quality hotel accommodation and unrivalled natural beauty throughout the area, and its cultural heritage is, in itself, a uniquely competitive advantage. In recent years the government and local authorities, in conjunction with the private sector, have succeeded in taking significant steps towards the progress and development of convention tourism, and have now laid the foundations for even better results in the near future. The Municipality of Athens - through specialised bodies such as the Athens Convention Bureau - is developing specific enterprises aimed at boosting the local conference sector in order to attract large international conventions to Athens.

Do you believe that Greece's tourism policies place as much emphasis as they should do on convention tourism?

It is a positive sign that the State has recently perceived the importance of convention tourism and acted accordingly. In the Municipality of Athens we have recognised what convention tourism means to the local economy, singling it out as one of the central axes of our policies for the economic development of Athens. Similarly, convention tourism now comprises one of the nine main axes for the strategic promotion and communication proposals from the Tourist Development department of the Greek Ministry of Tourism. This is a significant step, as it requires the long-term support and reinforcement of the image we project, both as a country and as a city, as well as a concerted effort with a specific action plan to make the most of those characteristics which can help us climb further up the international ladder of convention destinations. The Municipality of Athens is supporting this venture through the Tourism and Economic Development Company and the Athens Convention Bureau, and aims to produce positive results both in the short and the long term.

How is convention tourism developing in Athens? On what basis would a company select Athens as the location for a convention or conference? What are your goals in this respect?

Athens is currently the main convention destination within Greece, and this positive trend is constantly rising. Athens essentially gained a whole new face when it hosted the Olympic Games. It acquired ultra modern new buildings and significantly upgraded existing ones which did not meet the high standards. Alongside this, quality services were developed for all the various stages of organising conventions. The convention sector is now highly professional. As a result, the extensive renovation of the city led to the number of conventions increasing rapidly, and to Athens' share of the international convention market being maximised at a time when international competition is constantly growing.

It is well-known that Athens is a city which offers countless options for every type of visitor in terms of accommodation, entertainment, recreation and enjoyment. This wide spectrum of choices, combined with the most up-to-date convention venues, the significant works which have been carried out for urban expansion and the broader aesthetics of the urban environment of Athens, have attracted even more interest, not only as a convention destination but also as a city break destination.

Our efforts are specifically focused on constantly providing new options, improved services and effectively promoting these. Our aim is for Athens to become established on an international level as one of the leading destinations for both the aforementioned sectors, and this goal is achievable with the cooperation and combined efforts of all interested parties, both in the public and private sectors. That is why the Municipality of Athens and the city's official tourism board - which set up the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) - initially came into contact, and they are now working closely with all interested parties concerned.

Athens, however, is being called upon to compete with cities who are offering the same convention package.

It is true to say that competition in the area of convention tourism is particularly tough since, in addition to the more established convention destinations, we also have to compete with the new up-and-coming destinations within Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, the so-called ‘dollar-oriented' destinations. This is understandable given the strong parity between the euro and the dollar.

The State still has many cards to play to compete with these other destinations, such as capitalising on the Olympic projects. The first plan is to transform the Indoor Gymnasium at Faliro into a cosmopolitan conference centre. On its part, the Municipality of Athens is determined to contribute its support of the convention sector both by providing services through the Athens Convention Bureau and by creating and supporting conference facilities. We are keeping a close watch on how things develop in this sector and, as long as we consider that the necessary prerequisites have been met, we will act promptly and effectively.

It should also be noted that the Olympic Games, and the work which took place because of them, set the ball rolling for the ongoing development of the city over the years ahead. The transportation network will be significantly improved with further extensions to the metro line, the tram and the Attica Highway road network. Large new projects in the fields of art and culture, such as the New Acropolis Museum, the Greek National Opera, the National Library and the Museum of Modern Art will all breathe new life into the cultural scene in Athens and will distinguish it as a cosmopolitan metropolis.

What made you decide to establish the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB)?

The establishment of such an organisation, in line with international standards, was absolutely necessary for Athens and the economy of the city in general. It is widely recognised that tourism is the life blood of the Greek economy and, for Athens, conventions represent the most lucrative and qualitative type of tourism. The Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) is the Municipality's response to the demands of the worldwide convention market and to the challenge of establishing Athens as the most desirable international convention destination. First and foremost, it aims to launch and promote Athens as a convention package, decisively contributing to the city's appeal for conferences, business meetings and similar events which will have significant benefits for the economy and the development of the city. To this end, the key role of the ACB is to provide - reliably, objectively and in a responsible manner - all interested parties with the abundant information required concerning convention venues and services in Athens. The staff of the ACB and its parent company, the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo), is composed of young people with excellent knowledge of the market and its requirements, and who are committed to doing their best.

What feedback have you received from the initial period of the ACB's operation? Has there been any response from the Athenian and international markets?

The immediate response from the convention market in Athens was ardent and positive. Feedback from the international market is equally good and encouraging, as is the response from members of international associations, PCOs, Association Management Companies and multinational companies who have already contacted the ACB to determine the way it operates. It is no coincidence that the number of requests for information made to the ACB is increasing on a daily basis, as is the number of Athenian businesses wishing to become members of the organisation. This signifies a huge success for us and is totally compatible with our primary aim, which is none other than to achieve productive cooperation with representatives from the private sector, in order to establish Athens as one of the leading convention destinations in the world. I am convinced that all out goals are achievable and that the Athens Convention Bureau will make the greatest contribution to this end. Athens possesses all the essential elements which combine to make a successful convention destination. The international market is responding to this enthusiastically and, on our part, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to achieve our aims and to respond to the expectations of the convention sector, both at home and abroad.