HAPCO and Athens Convention Bureau join forces to boost conference tourism

The adoption of common actions and better coordination of forces with the aim of improving the competiveness of the conference product of Athens and the dynamic growth of conference tourism in Greece in general were agreed upon by the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) and the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB).

During a working meeting, the two organisations reviewed the situation of the Greek conference market today and exchanged viewpoints and information on developments in the international market, while agreeing on a series of common efforts and actions which have already been planned and are beginning to be implemented.

Among other things, the two bodies agreed:

• To work together in carrying out a study which will determine the economic impact and the contribution to growth of conference activity within the broader context of the tourism and national economy.

• To move ahead with coordinated promotional, marketing and public relations efforts, particularly abroad, with the main goal of improving the image of Greece and of Athens as conference destinations, to generate positive publicity and achieve more efficient penetration of the Greek conference product into large and emerging conference markets.

• On the necessity to go ahead with the construction of the International Metropolitan Conference Centre which will complement the existing conference potential of the city and contribute to attracting more international conferences and events.

In addition, they expressed satisfaction with the positive response of Deputy Minister of Tourism Angela Gerekou to the initiative to establish a Conference Tourism Committee whose objective will be to study and process proposals and actions for more effective promotion of Greece's conference product and the better organisation of the conference tourism market.

Taking part in the meeting from HAPCO were D. Astras, President of the Board of Directors, D. Mantzios, Honorary President and Board Member, P. Podimatas, Vice-president of the Board, and S. Lignou, Secretary on Special Matters. Representing the Athens Convention Bureau were P. Arkoumaneas, CEO of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo), G. Angelis, Director of the ACB, and N. Kefala, the ACB's Business Development Manager.