There is no need for major investments in accommodation infrastructure. The focus should be on the improvement of services provided at extended ports, the further reduction of taxes, the implementation of structural reforms to reduce labour costs, but above all on better promotion of Greece, underlined Ginis.

Presenting a tourism bill aiming to boost growth in 2012, Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos also focused on the need to rebrand Greece, voicing confidence that the sector can help the Greek economy move forward.

The bill pays attention among others at neglected types of tourism, such as rural tourism and wine tourism that support local products, such as olive oil, promoting Greek traditional cuisine, or religious tourism that can attract visitors all year round.

According to the ministry's data, Greece attracts some 60 percent of foreign visitors within just three months every year during summertime.

There is potential to lure tourists throughout the year, since the weather conditions in wintertime are quite mild and the country remains a safe, vibrant cultural destination throughout the year, explained Ginis, pointing to a possible boost to conference tourism and third-age tourism, for instance.

Regarding 2012 a lot will depend on the economic developments in Greece and global economy, he added, expressing hope that a positive imminent positive result in talks between the Greek government and private creditors over a restructuring of the Greek sovereign debt, will improve the overall climate.

"The sky seems to becomes clear in recent days with the progress on the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) plan to ease the Greek debt burden. I believe that with the support of our European counterparts, more hard work and focus on strengthening competitiveness and development, we will all overcome current difficulties," said Ginis.

Under the debt load of some 360 billion euros (472.3 billion dollars), euro member state Greece relies on vital international bailout loans since 2010 to escape a chaotic default that could rock the entire European economy.

An agreement on a write-down of part of the Greek debt owned by private banks, expected as soon as this week, in combination with a final deal on a second rescue package by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, could give a breath to Athens and time to focus on development in tourism and the overall economy, according to analysts. Enditem