U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service

Tourism Infrastructure and Development Exhibition and Conference
Athens, Greece
October 17-20, 2003

MISSION DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) will organize the "2003 Tourism Infrastructure and Development Exhibition and Conference" as part of the 2003 Real Estate Exhibition and Conference in Athens, Greece. This event will introduce and network participating U.S. companies and industry association representatives with Greek business and government decision-makers and will enable all participants to identify and hear first-hand the business opportunities associated with the development, management and operation of tourism infrastructure projects in Greece. Heavy emphasis will be given to the organization of matchmaker meetings between U.S. participants and key Greek Government and private sector officials involved in projects related to tourism infrastructure. In addition, a special "partnership forum" will take place as part of the event to assist Greek companies who are requesting assistance in partnering with U.S. firms. The event will take place as part of the "Real Estate Exhibition and Conference" October 17-20, 2003 in Athens, Greece.

COMMERCIAL SETTING

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Greece was ranked as the 15th most popular tourism destination in 2000. That year it received 12.5 million international tourists who contributed approximately $9.2 billion to the Greek economy. Overnight stays in 2000 rose by 3.5 percent as compared to 1999. This 'active' industry represents approximately seven percent of the country's GDP and employs 10 percent of the workforce. Greek business officials realize that attracting tourism, especially high-end tourism, will be an important part of their economic growth during the post Olympic period.

The outlook for tourism and tourism related infrastructure projects in Greece is expected to remain strong. The Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games, in conjunction with the Greek government's ambitious program to revitalize the country's tourism infrastructure, will continue to support the Greek tourism industry and provide numerous opportunities in Greece for U.S. firms for the foreseeable future.

MISSION GOALS

The " 2003 Tourism Infrastructure and Development Exhibition and Conference" will provide an avenue for U.S. companies to gain first hand exposure to major tourism infrastructure and hotel industry support opportunities in Greece. In particular, this unique concept aims to bring together U.S. companies with Greek project sponsors and government officials to discuss specific tourism infrastructure projects that are planned in the region. In addition, the event provides an opportunity to bring together the diverse universe of U.S. tourism and infrastructure companies with Greek government and private sector project sponsors in a forum that showcases the full spectrum of U.S. products and services that can meet the needs of Greece's monumental effort to upgrade and modernize its tourism facilities.

MISSION SCENARIO

The 2003 Tourism Infrastructure and Development Exhibition and Conference will take place at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel in Athens, Greece. U.S. participants will showcase their products and services as part of the Real Estate Exhibition and Conference. They also will be given a Tourism Infrastructure Opportunities briefing on key Greek Government tenders as well as private sector opportunities. The briefing will be followed by one-on-one appointments between U.S. firms and Greek government officials and businessmen. The conference will be augmented by evening events hosted by the "Real Estate Exhibition and Conference" organizer and the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. The precise schedule will depend on the availability of local government and business officials and the specific goals of the mission participants.

MISSION TIMETABLE

2003 Tourism Infrastructure and Development Exhibition and Conference: October 17-20, 2003

Tentative Event Program:

Wednesday, October 15, 2003:	- Arrival of corporate and government staff
Thursday, October 16, 2003:	- U.S. Participants Breakfast/Briefing by USCS Greece. Program Overview - Booth Setup - Official Opening of Real Estate Exhibition and Conference - Reception hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Greece
Friday, October 17, 2003:	- Tourism Infrastructure and Development Conference Plenary Session. - Participation in the Real Estate Exhibition - Matchmaker Meetings - Partnership Forum - Evening Tourism Related Event (optional)
Saturday, October 18, 2003	- Matchmaking Meetings - Participation in the Real Estate Exhibition and Conference
Sunday, October 19, 2003	- Matchmaking Meetings - Participation in the Real Estate Exhibition and Conference
Monday, October 20, 2003	- Departure of corporate and government staff

USCS Greece will have overall responsibility for organizing and coordinating the event. Recruitment of U.S. companies will begin on February 1, 2003, and close on October 1, 2003, the deadline date for participation. Applications received after the application deadline will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

Participation will be open to U.S. companies with products and/or services that are relevant to the tourism infrastructure and hotel support services sector. Companies wishing to participate will be evaluated based on following requirements:

• Relevance of the company's business to mission goals.
  
• Timely submission of a completed application and participation agreement signed by a company officer.
  
• Timely receipt of the $3,850 participation fee. Included in this fee is a finished 3 x 3 meter display booth, access to the exhibition, USCS Greece matchmaking services, a USCS Greece country briefing, and a reception hosted by the U.S. Ambassador. Larger booths are available at an additional rate of Euros 260 [approx] per square meter.
  The above fees do not include airfare, hotels, meals or other personal expenses.
  
• Market potential for U.S. business in the country being visited.
  
• Submission of adequate information regarding the company's products and/or services, and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matchmaker meetings with potential business partners.

Recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including direct mailing, publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar (www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet websites, press releases to the general and trade media. Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Participating companies' products and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

U.S. Recruitment: The target is to recruit 8-12 U.S. tourism infrastructure and hotel support service companies. A maximum of 15 companies may participate in the mission. Sub-sectors will include hotel/resort development management and operation, port waterfront development, marina development and operation, theme park development and operations, winter resort development and operation, golf course design and operation, hotel and port security services and hotel support services, tourism information technology.

Emphasis will be given to the target sub-sector categories listed below:

• hotel development management and operation
  
• resort hotel development management and operation
  
• convention center development
  
• port & waterfront development
  
• marina development, including design, equipment and operation
  
• theme park development and operation
  
• golf course development and operation
  
• museum development and management
  
• winter sports facilities development, upgrading and operation
  
• alternative tourism product development such as hiking, eco-tourism, nature reserves and underwater parks
  
• transportation (airports, ports, highways)
  
• telecommunications and information technology for tourism infrastructure
  
• travel and tourism related e-commerce
  
• financing tourism infrastructure projects
  
• hotel and port security
  
• hotel support service providers

CONTACT INFORMATION

USCS Athens Contact:

Irene Ralli, Commercial Assistant
US Embassy Athens
PSC 108 Box 30
APO, AE 09842
Tel: (30) 1 720-2224
Fax: (30) 1 721-8660
Irene.Ralli@mail.doc.gov

OIO Contact:

Phyllis Bradley
US Department of Commerce
14th & Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: (202) 482 2085
Fax: (202) 482 2456
Phyllis.Bradley@mail.doc.gov