"All the country's regions have their own unique character" Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Minister for Tourism

Olga Kefalogianni - The crisis is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but it has had repercussions across the board. I'd say that tourism has had a positive impact, helping to reverse this negative climate while giving Greece a better image internationally. Through our initiatives, we've managed to quickly change every negative element. With all the advantages we have, I think our country is capable of moving forward again. We have a major tourism programme, we use the latest technologies and we advertise Greece everywhere.

Is tourism benefiting from a new dynamic today?

O. K. - Tourism is a very important sector of activity - 15% of our economy depends on it - and it is in a phase of sustained development. 2013 was a record year, with growth of around 20 %
and just over 17.5 million tourists. And 2014 should be just as good. We want to bring Greek tourism up to its rightful position on the world stage. I want to emphasise that we are concentrating all our efforts on ensuring that Greek tourism supports the economy even more, while offering more to all our visitors.

What are your major projects?

O. K. - The Greek tourism development plan focuses on improving quality in general, and services and infrastructure in particular. We are encouraging investment, developing a plan to enhance marinas and strengthening the cruise industry. We are mobilising all our public and private resources so that we can move forward quickly and regain the time we lost in the past. This effort includes business tourism, which can use the high-level infrastructures that exist throughout the country, such as conference centres.

Apart from Athens and the islands, is the Peloponnese emerging as a destination for the future?

O. K. - Every region of the country has its own unique character. Every town, every village, every island is a destination in its own right. Our priority is to promote new tourist regions to broaden the range of interests. People who visit our country come for the history, the monuments, the gastronomy, the climate and the people. For all these things at once, and for each of them separately. Visitors come to Greece with the idea of enjoying this unique combination.