Tourism Law in Europe

9 GNTO considers, carries out and supervises tourism infrastructures and development projects financed by national or EU funds, either on its own or in cooperation with other bodies. The GNTO implements a marketing and advertising strategy which focuses on the best Greece has to showcase: its natural environment and Mediterranean climate, as well as its cultural heritage. Indeed, it conducts promotional and advertising campaigns domestically and abroad through its website and by participating in tourism and commercial expos all over the world. GNTO’s goals also include regional tourism development and an equitable distribution of wealth, with the aim of reinforcing the role and competences of local governments and public services as regards the tourism sector. Furthermore, it encourages the promotion of new types of tourism and implements social tourism programmes, in accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 3190/2003. The disciplinary administrative system comprises a set of administrative sanctions applicable to infringement of tourism legislation by tourism businesses. The sanctions are applied by the body responsible for regulating the tourism sector; that is, by the GNTO. The disciplinary administrative system is structured around Law No. 642/1977 “On the amendment and supplementation of provisions of ‘Hotel-related Legislation’”, Law No. 711/1977 “On special touring coaches” and Law No. 393/1976 “On the establishment and operation of Tourist Offices”. These three laws were accompanied by a large number of provisions interpolated in legal acts, presidential decrees and ministerial decisions that concern tourism. IV.1.3. Hellenic Chamber of Hotels The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (henceforth “HCH” or “Chamber”) was founded in 1935 (with Emergency Law 12/1935) under the legal name “Panhellenic Union of Tourist Hotels Organisation”. In 1935, it was renamed “Professional Chamber of Tourist Hotels” and again changed to its current name in 1946 (with Royal Decree 17/1946). As regards its organisation structure, HCH’s operational practice was ratified by PD 89/1988, stipulating how its services fall under a single Directorate consisting of six (6) departments: the Department of Hospitality Development, the Registries Department, the Public Relations and Publishing Department, the Administrative and Financial