Welcome home We welcome the American Society of Travel Agents and we share our excitement to be hosting the ASTA Destination EXPO <strong>2018</strong>, this major event of the American travel industry leaders. Greece is a global attractive 365-day destination that provides the ideal setting for the ASTA members to meet with the Greek travel professionals and experts, and explore all the authentic thematic experiences and tourism products offered in all 13 Greek regions, as well as all the world-famous but also the new Greek destinations that we now promote. Even more, the ASTA Expo in Athens presents the opportunities for new business that arise in this period of continuous and dynamic growth for the Greek tourism sector. Through our national tourism policy and a very effective marketing plan implemented by the GNTO, we achieved recordbreaking results in all tourism figures for three consecutive years. International arrivals grew by six million, at rates of growth almost double the global average. In 2017, Greece attracted more than 30 million tourists including cruise arrivals and <strong>2018</strong> has begun exceptionally with a double-digit growth from all our traditional and new markets. The US market is a priority to us, and with targeted actions and initiatives, including promotion and the establishment of direct flights, we achieved significant growth in arrivals in all recent years. A long-standing member of the European family, Greece stands out as the most diverse complex of islands in the Med, with 16 thousand kilometers of coastline, one of the longest in the world, but even more for its rich history and culture, as the birthplace of Democracy and the Olympic games, arts, philosophy, sports and science. Our country is an open museum with 18 UNESCO world heritage sites, numerous ancient monuments and pilgrimage treasures, and a civilization of thousands of years with global radiance. Our visitors enjoy their vacation in cosmopolitan destinations, but also new hidden paradises, overall more than 100 islands each with its own captivating beauty. Greece's crystal clear safe waters are ideal for cruises, yachting and diving. The close proximity allows visitors to experience multiple destinations in one trip. The mainland with more than 3000 authentic villages and destinations, ski resorts, mythical mountains and its rich nature, engage our visitors in several outdoor activities year-round. Greece also tops Europe in terms of thermal springs with unique healing properties and offers high- end services in health and wellness, based on our long medicinal tradition, as the home of Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, the perfect weather and our rich gastronomy reflecting the healthy yet so tasty Greek diet, with locally grown, organic famous Greek products. Athens, Salonica and other vibrant cities emerge as top choices for MICE and city vacation, providing endless options for festivals, arts and recreation, entertainment, famous nightlife, high-end shopping, excellent food as well as for daily cruises to nearby islands. And last but not least, to mention the genuine warm hospitality offered generously to our visitors, who feel like home away from home. For ASTA's members and delegates we have scheduled amazing fam trips and sightseeing tours in our beautiful country to choose from and see first-hand all the fascinating experiences and various aspects of the mainland and the islands that they will introduce to the American travelers. I invite you all to experience the best Greece has to offer, as a top-of-the mind 365-day destination for unforgettable lifetime experiences. With these thoughts, I convey to you my best wishes for a very successful ASTA Destination Expo in Athens. Elena Kountoura Minister of Tourism 04 G R E E C E O N A I R