Greek Marketing Strategies in the European Tourism Market

Between 1960 and 1985 international tourism to Greece enjoyed one of the fastest rates of growth in the world, averaging 12.2 per cent annually. Numerous inter-related explanations were offered for this phenomenon, including endowed factors such as warm climate and antiquities; low costs; the supportive infrastructure and the strength and efficiency of the supply of tourist services and products. One aspect, however, which has not attracted much attention is the quality of Greek marketing. The Greek tourism marketing strategies are examined using a sample of Greek national tourist offices located in major European cities. Data for the study were gathered from personal interviews with the directors of such tourist offices. Although the marketing strategies undertaken by the national tourist offices of Greece abroad have been generally successful, the long-term viability of such strategies can only be sustained by a formalised strategic marketing planning process which caters for a host of interacting internal and external variables.