AFEA Congress had the honor to attend the 13th Panhellenic Conference of the Association of Greek Professionals, Events and Conference Organizers (HAPCO & DES) titled: "The Future is Now". Held at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall on 8 and 9 February, this event served as a platform to underscore the international trends and prospects of the Meetings Industry in Greece. Notable figures within Greece's tourism sector convened to address the pivotal role the Meetings Industry plays in the nation's economy, tourist season extension, and employment opportunities. Despite Greece's 13th place in Europe according to the International Congress Association's 2022 evaluation, there's a unanimous acknowledgment that the sector's potential remains largely untapped due to infrastructural limitations.
Ms. Sissy Lygnou, President of HAPCO & DES, emphasized the transformative impact of the Meetings Industry, citing its ability to contribute up to seven times more to the national economy than mass tourism. Additionally, it supports over 50 professions, mitigates seasonality issues, and attracts high-income visitors while bolstering international recognition for Greece. However, the lack of infrastructure capable of hosting larger conferences poses a significant obstacle.
Addressing this issue, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elena Rapti, highlighted the Meetings Industry’s prominence in the ministry's marketing plans for 2024. She emphasized the need for modern infrastructure to accommodate larger events, pointing to an average participant expenditure of €1,639, indicating a growing trend. Moreover, the Ministry of Tourism is actively working on strengthening the Meetings Industry to enhance Greece's competitiveness on the international stage.
Local authorities echoed these sentiments, with Mrs. Vicky Chatzivassiliou, Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism of Central Macedonia, stressing the necessity of large conference facilities and the promotion of cities beyond Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia. This collective acknowledgment underscores the concerted efforts to harness the Meetings Industry's potential for Greece's economic growth and global recognition.
