“Our goal is for Tourism to be a force for flight forward. A force of extroversion for our Homeland. A force for economic development and prosperity,” said the Deputy Minister of Interior, in charge of Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, in his inaugural address. of the 36th PHILOXENIA – HOTELIA, at the International Exhibition Center of Thessaloniki.
It proves the possibility of our city, but also of the wider region of Macedonia and Thrace, to proceed to the development of Special and Alternative Forms of Tourism and the Economy of Experiences.
To become a tourist destination, 12 months a year, but also a home port and hub for cruise tourism “. And he underlined:” The government invests in extroversion with the spearhead of Tourism. It has restored confidence in the economy, a fact that is clear from the historically low interest rates at which it borrows, the rapid growth of GDP, the upward trajectory of the economic climate. It has put the engines of development ahead and is in a phase of constant acceleration. “
“I am sure”, pointed out the Deputy Minister of Interior, “that the new modern exhibition center that Thessaloniki will acquire will expand the exhibition horizons of the TIF, satisfying the needs of exhibitors and visitors and at the same time offering the citizens functional green spaces that the city so desperately needs. The Macedonia and Thrace Sector of the Ministry of Interior acts as an accelerator of projects and actions that improve the image and attractiveness of Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace, that strengthen the role of the Country in Europe and the world, that strengthen its tourist opening Of our country in the international environment “.
The full text of the greeting follows:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Greece today sends, from here, from Thessaloniki, an open challenge to the whole world. That after a difficult period, it safely opened its doors to those who want to have unique experiences in their lives. Tourism is regaining the normality that the pandemic deprived us of.
The exhibition duo Philoxenia – Hotelia, the most important exhibitions for tourism in Southeast Europe, with the participation of exhibitors, entrepreneurs, hosted buyers from 27 countries and official participations from 12 other countries, can transfer to 2022 the air of optimism created by the opening of the Greek tourism last summer. They can support tourism companies, highlight the enormous potential of our country, make a signal of optimism for the coming year.
This year’s event comes at a time when Thessaloniki is celebrating its successful international distinction of joining the UNESCO Network of Creative Gastronomic Cities, which includes cities with a long gastronomic tradition, cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.
It proves the possibility of our city, but also of the wider region of Macedonia and Thrace, to proceed to the development of Special and Alternative Forms of Tourism and the Economy of Experiences. To become a tourist destination, 12 months, the year but also home port and hub for cruise tourism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The government is investing in extroversion with the spearhead of Tourism. It has restored confidence in the economy, a fact that is clear from the historically low interest rates at which it borrows, the rapid growth of GDP, the upward trajectory of the economic climate. It has started the engines of development and is in a phase of constant acceleration.
Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace are already taking the lead in this process. This is evidenced by the presence of international financial giants such as Cisco, Pfizer, Microsoft, Amazon, Deloitte. And it shows the prospects that the decision of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Government as a whole to reposition Macedonia and Thrace on the map of our wider neighborhood.
To make Thessaloniki – with projects we have already launched – an exhibition and conference pole, an international transit station, a center for training, research and innovation, a hub for interregional and international cooperation. A smart city open to our neighborhood and the world to come.
To make Northern Greece more attractive for investors and visitors. With upgrades to land gates, ports, airports and highways. With local interventions, for more green and upgraded recreation areas. With the support of tourism investments that meet the quality demands of our visitors. By highlighting monuments of our history and culture.
Our goal is for Tourism to be a force to be reckoned with. Power of extroversion for our Homeland. Power of economic growth and prosperity. The surge in tourism revenues that exceeded 10 billion, the 11 million visitors recorded in the 10 months, the revenues here in Halkidiki that exceeded 250% last year are a reward for the decisions and measures taken by the Government, responsibility and merit demonstrated by the business world, the professionalism shown by the employees, in all the links of tourism.
Greece is an open and hospitable country. It offers security and a wealth of positive experiences for its guests. It offers new and promising opportunities for foreign direct investment in the tourism sector as well. It offers opportunities for those who look ahead. Because Greece is also looking ahead.
I am sure that the new modern exhibition center that Thessaloniki will acquire will expand the exhibition horizons of the TIF, satisfying the needs of exhibitors and visitors and at the same time offering the citizens functional green spaces that the city so desperately needs.
The Macedonia and Thrace Sector of the Ministry of Interior operates as an accelerator of projects and actions that improve the image and attractiveness of Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace. Strengthening the role of the Country in Europe and the world. That enhance the tourist opening of our Homeland in the international environment.
With these thoughts, I wish every success in this year’s event and the achievement of the goals that have been set.
Thank you.
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