As Greece anticipates an unprecedented year that will immeasurably raise its global profile as a top destination, the Greek National Tourist Office (GNTO) has announced a major Brand Partnership agreement with World Travel Market 2004 at London’s ExCeL (Monday 8-Thursday 11 November).

The country captured international acclaim and recognition when - against all the odds - it unexpectedly won the Euro 2004 football championships this summer and is now putting the finishing touches to its plans to host the Olympic Games.

The deal with WTM, celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary this year, will be seen as a timely culmination of a year of spectacular achievement. The GNTO and Greece’s Ministry of Tourism will use the opportunity to demonstrate the country’s diverse range of products, but particularly its aim to become a top player in the international meetings industry.

Mr. Harry Coccossis, President of the GNTO, based in Athens, said: “Greece has excellent meetings venues and services which have been further improved by the brilliant new facilities and infrastructure in Athens built for the Games. In addition, we are proud of our talents in organising corporate events for the industry. And with our experience of organising the largest event in the world, The Olympic Games, we are demonstrating that we can undertake many major events in the future. We want to use this good fortune and years of planning to demonstrate to the world that we are a serious contender in the challenging meetings industry."

"As they say, the Gods are smiling on us. This is a very auspicious occasion for us and I would like to wish World Travel Market a very happy Silver Jubilee. We have always valued the support we have received from the event organisers and I feel this new partnership between us is most appropriate. World Travel Market is an ever-improving exhibition, which results in the GNTO’s ever-increasing presence. We certainly appreciate the important role they have played in helping to increase tourism to our country over the years."

Fiona Jeffery, WTM’s Group Exhibition Director said that she was delighted that Greece was to be the event’s main Brand Partner for 2004. She said: “This is definitely Greece’s year! Greece has always been an extremely loyal friend to World Travel Market right from the very beginning and is one of the world’s most popular destinations in Europe. But their international industry standing will have rocketed by the time the year ends. We will be working with the GNTO and the Ministry to ensure that they are able to capitalise wholeheartedly on the many business opportunities that World Travel Market has to offer.”