The 2nd Airport Chief Executives’ Symposium (ACES – Athens), an Athens International Airport initiative hosted in Athens, was successfully held on November 18th, in an ideal and internationally acclaimed location of Athens, the Acropolis Museum. ACES aims to highlight the interdependence between the air transport industry and airports, on the one hand and the economies and the development of the served destinations, on the other.
This year, more than 140 top executives from air transport, the international banking sector, the financial sector and the tourism industry, responded to the invitation of the Athens International Airport. In the framework of the Symposium, Athens International Airport also announced its most recent initiative in support of the national campaign for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures in Greece, by “inviting” passengers and city visitors to vote and express their opinion on the matter.
During her opening address, the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, presented this year’s very positive developments for Greek tourism, as well as the prospects and future planning and the association between strengthening the attractiveness of a destination and the developments in the aviation sector.
On behalf of the Mayor of Athens, the CEO of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA), Mr. Alexis Galinos, referred to the efforts undertaken for the city of Athens and its resurgence as a tourist destination.
Further on, the keynote speaker, Dr. Charles E. Schlumberger from the World Bank / Transport Division, presented interactively “The Global Economic Outlook and its Implications for the Aviation Industry: A Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” to the ACES audience.
On the occasion of the 2nd Airport Chief Executives’ Symposium, the CEO of the Athens International Airport, Yiannis Paraschis, highlighted: “The ACES – Athens Symposium is a unique initiative, bearing significant importance for our airport and for the city of Athens, as well. Looking back at our “City Pair” partnership with 18 airports across the world, a cooperation that started last year during the 1st ACES, aiming at promoting Athens to international markets above 170,000,000 passengers, I would like to convey our sincere gratitude to all participating airports for their unparalleled support.
This year, in a very good timing for Athens as a destination, we were delighted to welcome our very special guests representing the international business community, in this venue of great symbolism, the magnificent Acropolis Museum.”
