Culture minister on tourism policy for 2011

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos on Monday described Greece's national tourism organisation (GNTO) as a "deeply sick outfit", following the release of a report on the way the GNTO had functioned in the past three years that is now in the hands of justice. 

 

 In a meeting with reporters on Monday, Geroulanos stressed that GNTO had squandered money that should not have been wasted in this way. 

 

 He also outlined ministry initiatives that are now underway for 2011 and aim to bring Greece's tourism sector out of the crisis. 

 

 These include a draft bill that will simplify the process of tourism investments, including tourist housing not attached to hotel units and a promotional campaign that will once again pivot on use of the internet. 

 

 Geroulanos said that GNTO will participate in 69 international tourism exhibitions during 2011 but with a budget that is 40 percent less than that spent in 2010.







ANA