Homer’s Corfu – a new tourist magnet for Americans
tourism
20 Ιανουαρίου 2018
/ 11:16
There was a strong Corfu presence at a triple event held by the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist and Travel Agencies (FedHatta) at the Athens Plaza Hotel on Tuesday 16th January.
The Corfu Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Vassilis Kavadias, was present as was the Corfiot Andreas Rois, a long-time member of the tourism industry, who was given an award for his contribution over the years. Two board members of HATTA and FedHATTA are also from Corfu – Vassiliki Skayia and Vassilis Kontos. The event began with a press conference, where the FedHATTA President, Lysandros Tsilidis, introduced the President of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), Zane Kerby, and the Vice-President, Robert Duglin. All three of them spoke about the ASTA Destination EXPO 2018 conference which will take place in Athens from 14 – 17 April.
Americans will be enchanted by ancient Greek history and myths.
Mr. Kerby, who was visiting Greece for the first time, said that the number of American arrivals over the next few years was expected to ‘lift off’. The most influential factor in his own knowledge of Greece was his mother’s love of Ancient Greece, the myths, the historical figures and the Acropolis. She had been taught about Greece at American schools all her life, and when she had the chance to visit the Acropolis her eyes filled with tears. “I am sure,” Mr. Kerby said, “that when I visit the Acropolis I, too, will cry.” Americans’ adoration of the Acropolis and Ancient Greece, which laid the foundations of western civilization, is the basic reason for ASTA’s historic conference ‘ASTA Destination EXPO 2018’ in Athens. Both Mr. Kerby and Mr. Duglin believe that the conference will trigger the promotion of Greece as a leading world tourist destination and that there will be a dramatic increase in the number of American tourists arriving.
Over 127 million Americans have passports.
FedHATTA is targeting a 30% increase in American tourist arrivals following this conference. Mr. Kerby highlighted the fact that, “Over 127 million Americans have passports, indicating their strong interest in travelling abroad in search of high-quality authentic, local experiences.” ASTA is one of the largest professional tourism associations in the world with 8,944 members from 3,586 American companies, including some of the largest, such as Expedia. Approximately 70% of the members are from American travel agencies and organizations and the remainder are from travel agencies around the world.
Greece is aiming for an increase of up to 30% from the American market.
It was stated that Greece is a safe travel destination suitable for the American travelling public, most of which is made up of millennials (18-40 years of age) who are better off than in the past and have a preference for travelling abroad. FedHATTA is aiming for an increase of 30% in the numbers of Americans visiting Greece, through promotional activities in collaboration with ASTA, both at the conference and continuing over many months afterwards. This promotional work has already been underway since last July and will continue after the conference. There has already been a lot of publicity abroad for Athens with the promotion of the conference and one of the fam trips that will take place with conference participants will be in Corfu.
HATTA Awards – Tourism ‘veteran’ Andreas Rois.
There was a special ceremony to celebrate HATTA’s 90th anniversary. Awards were given to companies and individuals who have played an important role in the association’s history.
“These companies are being honoured for their contribution to tourism. We are presenting awards to members who have developed with strength over the long term and we hope to continue these efforts for the future of Greek tourism, which has great potential for development,” declared Lysandros Tsilidis. Amongst those to receive awards was the Corfiot (from Kalafationes) Andreas Rois. He finished secondary school in Corfu in 1956 and continued his studies in Athens – Law School, School of Philosophy and the former School of Industry (now Piraeus University). He worked in the fields of journalism and tourism, mostly representing foreign airlines and travel agencies. He was the first to bring inbound tourism from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria and Jordan and worked with travel agencies in London, Switzerland and Spain for several years through Iberica Hellenic Travel, which Mr. Rois was director of until 1993.
Source: corfuguide.gr
Americans will be enchanted by ancient Greek history and myths.
Mr. Kerby, who was visiting Greece for the first time, said that the number of American arrivals over the next few years was expected to ‘lift off’. The most influential factor in his own knowledge of Greece was his mother’s love of Ancient Greece, the myths, the historical figures and the Acropolis. She had been taught about Greece at American schools all her life, and when she had the chance to visit the Acropolis her eyes filled with tears. “I am sure,” Mr. Kerby said, “that when I visit the Acropolis I, too, will cry.” Americans’ adoration of the Acropolis and Ancient Greece, which laid the foundations of western civilization, is the basic reason for ASTA’s historic conference ‘ASTA Destination EXPO 2018’ in Athens. Both Mr. Kerby and Mr. Duglin believe that the conference will trigger the promotion of Greece as a leading world tourist destination and that there will be a dramatic increase in the number of American tourists arriving.
Over 127 million Americans have passports.
FedHATTA is targeting a 30% increase in American tourist arrivals following this conference. Mr. Kerby highlighted the fact that, “Over 127 million Americans have passports, indicating their strong interest in travelling abroad in search of high-quality authentic, local experiences.” ASTA is one of the largest professional tourism associations in the world with 8,944 members from 3,586 American companies, including some of the largest, such as Expedia. Approximately 70% of the members are from American travel agencies and organizations and the remainder are from travel agencies around the world.
Greece is aiming for an increase of up to 30% from the American market.
It was stated that Greece is a safe travel destination suitable for the American travelling public, most of which is made up of millennials (18-40 years of age) who are better off than in the past and have a preference for travelling abroad. FedHATTA is aiming for an increase of 30% in the numbers of Americans visiting Greece, through promotional activities in collaboration with ASTA, both at the conference and continuing over many months afterwards. This promotional work has already been underway since last July and will continue after the conference. There has already been a lot of publicity abroad for Athens with the promotion of the conference and one of the fam trips that will take place with conference participants will be in Corfu.
HATTA Awards – Tourism ‘veteran’ Andreas Rois.
There was a special ceremony to celebrate HATTA’s 90th anniversary. Awards were given to companies and individuals who have played an important role in the association’s history.
“These companies are being honoured for their contribution to tourism. We are presenting awards to members who have developed with strength over the long term and we hope to continue these efforts for the future of Greek tourism, which has great potential for development,” declared Lysandros Tsilidis. Amongst those to receive awards was the Corfiot (from Kalafationes) Andreas Rois. He finished secondary school in Corfu in 1956 and continued his studies in Athens – Law School, School of Philosophy and the former School of Industry (now Piraeus University). He worked in the fields of journalism and tourism, mostly representing foreign airlines and travel agencies. He was the first to bring inbound tourism from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria and Jordan and worked with travel agencies in London, Switzerland and Spain for several years through Iberica Hellenic Travel, which Mr. Rois was director of until 1993.
Source: corfuguide.gr
