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dynamics of the euro crisis have firmly pitted Germany against Greece. Protests are erupting in the streets of Athens against a German-led coalition of European countries forcing austerity

measures in return for bailout money. As long as the bailout politics play out, the tourism industry suffers. Images in Greek newspapers of German Chancellor Angela Merkel wearing a Nazi

uniform are hardly endearing German travelers to the normally popular vacation destination. Greece's tourism ministry, however, cannot afford to play politics. Tourism accounts for

dollars. "Germans are known for their outbound tourism," said Clemens Recker of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce. At this year's ITB Berlin, a travel trade show, Greece is

particularly keen to change the perception that it is unfriendly to Germans. It filled almost an entire hall with white sheets, Aegean blue posters and friendly ambassadors for the

country's myriad sights, especially those outside of the conflict-ridden Athens. "We want to make sure that whatever bad sentiments there are between the two countries is reversed

in the long term," said Pavlos Geroulanos, Greece's Minister of Culture and Tourism amid a white-draped display. What one sees on the news "does not reflect general sentiment

among Greeks," insists Geroulanos. "The Greeks are very good to the Germans." Overall visitor arrivals and tourism revenue were up 10 percent in Greece in 2011, but a dip in

early seasonal bookings for 2012 is causing concern. "The Greeks are wringing their hands in despair waiting for holidaymakers," said TUI Germany Chief Executive Volker Boettcher,

a day before the trade show started. "This is a crucial year for us," said Geroulanos. "The best way to help Greece is not with handouts, but by tourism. That makes sure

whatever packages are given are working better." ARAB SPRING SHIFTS TOURISM PARADIGM The Arab Spring meanwhile caused a shift in the tourism paradigm across North Africa and the Middle

East, said Recker at the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce, which hosted an all-day event addressing the split. Visitors who once went to Egypt and Tunisia are now flocking to Qatar, Morocco

and other Gulf countries unaffected by popular protests. The pro-democracy movements cost the region about $7 billion, according to the Arab Tourism Organization, but certain countries are

benefiting at the expense of others. "It's been good for us," said Abdulla Malalla Al-Bader, Qatar's director of tourism. "We are getting more and more

visitors." Arrivals at the country are up 4 percent from 2010. Al-Bader says that Qatar is trying to capitalize on the positive momentum, especially targeting Germans with newspaper ads

and major convention displays. Meanwhile, the number of visitors coming to Egypt plunged 33 percent last year, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). "It

would be an understatement to say it was a difficult year," Egyptian tourism minister, Munir Fakhri Abdel-Nur, said to journalists gathered in Berlin ahead of the ITB travel fair.

Tourism makes up about one-sixth of GDP and jobs in Egypt, but perceptions of unrest in the country persist. Less than half of Egypt's residents say they feel safe walking alone at

night, according to a study by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center. To makeover its image, Egypt partnered with the ITB Berlin convention. The country's elaborate display covering 2,000

square-meters of floor space features dancers, regional dishes, sculpture exhibits and a craft bazaar. "It's a new beginning at the right time after 2011, which was a turning

point," said Abdel-Nur. "The road will be long and sometimes bumpy but we are confident."