Commission supports Maritime and Coastal Tourism and assists SMEs to access markets in Greece

Small and medium sized enterprises in Greece, including many operating in the costal tourism sector, have been hit hard by the economic crisis. They face many challenges that require adapting to new ways of doing business, accessing markets and funding. Tourism, as the "heavy industry" of Greece and maritime and coastal tourism and blue growth, represents a unique opportunity to re-ignite Greece's SME's and its path to growth and competitiveness. To explore the tourism sector's potential to create growth and new jobs, today in Athens European Commissioner European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Maria Damanaki, the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras and the Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni will open a High Level conference on Maritime and Coastal Tourism. Tomorrow a Commission led "Mission for growth" will also bring representatives of about 145 European companies to Greece, to participate in bilateral meetings with 330 SMEs from across Greece with the aim to form new partnerships and discuss opportunities for collaboration.

Αναλυτικά:
http://europedirect.duth.gr/?q=node/2117