Tourism: Meeting the Challenges |  |
- Tourism: Meeting the Challenges
- EU: Schengen and Migration
- Academic Debate @ LSE Hellenic Observatory
- Make Innovation Work Contest
- The Culture Agenda
| Tourism: Meeting the Challenges Posted: 05 May 2011 05:21 AM PDT  Addressing the 19th General Assembly of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) yesterday, Prime Minister George Papandreou outlined the priorities, the goals and the successes of the government policy in tourism sector and the promotion of Greece abroad. Papandreou focused on the simplification of the licensing process in tourist investments, stressing that tourism should be one of the basic pillars for boosting the Greek economy. "In the coming months there will be a licensing simplification in investments and facilitation of visa issuing for nationals of emerging economies such as China and Russia. […] There will also be a reduction in the prices of sea transport tickets, as well as in landing and take-off fees at several airports," said Papandreou noting that the tourism industry has been reporting positive signs as what is being offered is quality service at good prices.  Referring to the enormous potential of Internet and social networking, Papandreou hailed the online promotion of Greece via the official site of Visit Greece, the newly launched my-greece.gr, and through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.  |
| Posted: 05 May 2011 03:32 AM PDT  The European Commission presented yesterday initiatives for a more structured, comprehensive, rapid-response approach from the EU to the challenges and opportunities of migration, not least in view of the current developments in the Mediterranean. The initiatives cover various aspects of migration, including strengthened border control and Schengen governance. The proposals will serve as a basis for the debate at the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council, on May 12, to be followed by a migration-focused discussion at the June 24 European Council.  Citizen protection Minister Christos Papoutsis welcomed the EU proposals for strengthening community policy on asylum and migration stressing that Greece is participating actively in the efforts to increase control at EU borders. However, as he said on May 3, following a meeting with the heads of the police, coast guard and intelligence services, "Greece believes that the free movement of people within the Schengen area has to be protected at all costs because it is the most basic tenet of European integration." Kathimerini daily: Athens wary of border changes  |
| Academic Debate @ LSE Hellenic Observatory Posted: 05 May 2011 03:32 AM PDT  The London School of Economics Hellenic Observatory hosted, on May 3, an academic debate on The Greek bail-out one year on: how can Greece return to growth?, in which Costas Meghir, Professor of Economics at University College London and Yale University, and Heracles Polemarchakis, Professor of Economics at Warwick University and economic advisor to the Greek Prime Minister took part. The debate was chaired by Nicos Christodoulakis, former Minister of Economy and Finance (2001-2004). Meghir argued that the reason behind the current economic situation in Greece is the fact that particularly during the last three years there was a reduction in investments and an increase in consumption, adding that he is in favour of a structured and scheduled restructuring of the Greek debt.  On his part, Polemarchakis stressed that Greece doesn't need to restructure its debt for now and should only consider an extension of its international loans. "For the moment we don't need to talk about anything except possibly for the easiest, which is the rescheduling - or re-profiling as it is sometimes called - of the EU and IMF loan," Polemarchakis said. Instead of restructuring which means some loss of face value, a rescheduling would mean "no nominal loss, but you pay over a longer period," he said.  |
| Posted: 05 May 2011 03:32 AM PDT  The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce has launched a major initiative to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece. The MIW (Make Innovation Work) competition is organized in cooperation with and supported by major international and local companies and organizations.  MIW aims to inspire people/entities of Greek and Cypriot origin and interests to submit innovative and feasible business plans to be implemented in Greece. Business plans must be in the sectors of Green Energy, Tourism, Alternative Agriculture, and Transportation & Shipping. The deadline for submission of proposals is May 16, 2011. |
| Posted: 05 May 2011 03:35 AM PDT E X H I B I T I O N S
 A major retrospective focusing on the life and oeuvre of distinguished painter Ioannes Altamouras (1852-1878) is being held at the Benaki Museum until May 22. Through paintings, historical documents as well as personal objects, the public has the opportunity to become acquainted with the work of a particularly gifted artist who died at the age of 26. The exhibition also features four different films focusing on the Altamura family and the artist's descendants and is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue.  M U S I C
The internationally acclaimed string ensemble, the Kronos Quartet, is giving a concert today (May 5) at the Onassis Cultural Centre (OCC) in Athens, performing works by prominent New York-based composers from the music fields of minimalism, avant-garde and even rock music.  Laurent Maur Quartet @ IFA As part of its programme of jazz music, the French Institute in Athens (IFA) is hosting on May 6 a concert by Laurent Maur Quartet, with works ranging from jazz to electronic music with a taste of ethnic sounds.  |
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