Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-04-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Tourism minister Avramopoulos anticipates tourism rebound in '05

[02] Greek, Bulgarian presidents' meeting on Monday

[03] Attica, Greece's largest department store, holds Grand Opening in downtown Athens' CityLink complex

[01] Tourism minister Avramopoulos anticipates tourism rebound in '05

Avramopoulos spoke during the International Tourism Exhibition "Tourism Panorama 2005", being held at the Piraeus exhibition centre.

"A pre-condtion for our success in the future is better coordination, better organisation, and especially an upgrading of services..." the minister said.

[02] Greek, Bulgarian presidents' meeting on Monday

Their unofficial meeting is scheduled for around 1 p.m. at a downtown hotel, with bilateral relations expected to dominate talks.

The meeting was originally scheduled for last Friday but was postponed so the two leaders could attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

[03] Attica, Greece's largest department store, holds Grand Opening in downtown Athens' CityLink complex

Athens has been continually changing in recent years, becoming friendlier and more attractive to its residents and visitors.

In this modern Athens, the historic building of the Army Pension Fund has been transformed by the Piraeus Bank Real Estate Group, without alteration of its traditional architecture, into a multi-purpose building complex that aesthetically as well as functionally enriches the Greek capital's centre. The CityLink complex, encompassing an entire city block covering 65,000 square meters, is conveniently situated between two Metro stations -- those of Syntagma and Panepistimou -- and strategiclaly placed amid three major hotels (the Grande Brettagne, and the Grecotel Group's King George II and Athens Plaza), within walking distance of the Greek Parliament and the National Gardens, as well as some of Athens' most well-known archaeological gems such as the Catholic Church and Athens University. The 250 million euros investment, is due to be fully operational by autumn, and the complex will encompass, in addition to the department store, a health and fitness club, restaurants, and the fully renovated theatres Pallas and Aliki.

"Attica, the department store", representing a 25 million euros investment and covering 25,000 sq.m. on eight levels, employs more than 700 people, comprises more than 300 shops-in-a-shop offering 500 brand-name goods meeting all consumer needs in women's, men's and children's fashion, home and sport goods, accessories and cosmetics, a VIP service area, and lock-up facilities for personal objects. The department store further boasts an in-house reastuarant and a cafeteria, and offers free home delivery of purchases.

Attica Department Stores S.A. was set up by founding members Elmec Sport (25 percent holding), Epirotiki (owner of the historic Minion department store building, with a 25 percent holding), businessman Constantine Lambropoulos(former main shareholder and managing director of another historic Greek department store, with a 10 percent holding), businessman Alexis Sgoumbopoulos (exclusive importer of Benetton and Sisley, with a 10 percent holding), businessman Ritchie Francis (main shareholder and managing director of Ridenco, with a 10 percent holding), businessman Constantine Tsouvelekakis (exclusive importer of Replay, with a 10 percent holding), businesswoman Vassiliki Foka (main shareholder and managing director of the O. Fokas S.A., with a 5 percent holding), and businessman Asterios Economidis (main shareholder and managing director of Arcon construction, with a 5 percent holding).

According to the management, the Attica department store's visitorship is estimated at 8-10 thousand shoppers daily, while sales are anticipated to exceed 100 million euros in two years' time.

The ultra department store held its Grand Opening on Saturday, attended by prominent members of the Athenian business and entertainment communities, and throngs of shoppers.

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