ABTA to Athens for 2006 convention
The 2006 ABTA Travel Convention is to be held in Athens.
The event will be held in the Greek capital – host to last year’s Olympic Games – on November 23-26, 2006.
ABTA has secured the Megaron Concert Halls and Convention Centre for the business sessions and a range of four and five star accommodation nearby offering around 1,600 rooms.
Scheduled flights will be available from Olympic Airways and British Airways, and at least two dedicated charter flights are being planned from Manchester and Gatwick. The event will be under the auspices of The Greek Ministry of Tourism which is supporting the event financially.
ABTA president Martin Wellings said: “We are delighted to be able to visit Greece again. The upsurge in tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean over the last three years has put more focus onto the region and I feel it is right that we reflect this in our choice of destination.
“The facilities in Athens are particularly impressive and I am sure the event will be a great success.”
Yiannis Evangelou, chairman of the Athens Convention Bureau said: “This is great news for Greece and Athens in particular. So much has happened to the city in recent years that unless you attended the Olympics last year you will be amazed by the new developments. It is a cleaner and livelier city with a renewed confidence – and the decision by ABTA to hold its 2006 Travel Convention in Athens will help to keep that momentum going.”
Report by Phil Davies
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