Off the wire
• OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum 2016 kicks off in Vietnam's capital  • China urges U.S. to honor promise on one-China policy  • Indonesia speeds up train project in easternmost province  • Russia not to challenge UEFA punishment: Russian Sports Minister  • U.S. stocks open lower as Fed meeting begins  • China bans exports of more items to DPRK  • S. Africa issues warning against banking fraud  • Turkey's Erdogan sends letter to Putin to restore ties  • Turkey president sends message to Putin for better bilateral ties  • China air quality improves in April and May  
You are here: 　 Home

Spotlight: Greece aiming to attract tourists from China: officials

Xinhua, June 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Greek officials are aiming to attract more tourists from China and boost direct flights, hoping Chinese tourism will play a significant role in the growth of the industry in the future.

"China is a new market for us," Greek Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura told Xinhua during a recent interview at her office in Athens.

According to the president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Andreas Andreadis, Chinese arrivals to Greece can exceed one million by 2021.

"For the moment, numbers are less than 200,000. We have to count also Chinese who arrive from other European countries and not only the direct arrivals," Andreadis said.

Among the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists are the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Athens, and many destinations with archaeological and cultural interest like Delphi and Meteora.

China and Greece, the two countries which represent two of the world's great ancient civilizations, have many things in common, Kountoura highlighted. "We share a long history and culture."

"Chinese prefer to go to the archaeological sites and feel the culture and the power of history of this country. At the same time, they love shopping and good food. We have everything," Kountoura added.

Greece is also a dream destination for honeymooners. "We have so many Chinese who come and get married in Santorini, in other islands, and have their honey moon here," Kountoura said.

Among the top priorities of Greek officials is to step up efforts in promoting brand Greece in China and to improve connectivity with more direct flights.

"One of our next efforts would be to grow the presence of Greece's market in China in cooperation with local tour operators and travel agents. In addition, more direct flights to Greek destinations from China are key in growing the business," Andreadis stressed.

Besides the participation of Greece in major tourist exhibitions in Beijing and Shanghai in recent years, the Greek National Tourism Organization is taking action to further bolster tourism traffic from China with a series of activities, documentaries, press and familiarization trips. Endit