GNTO Closes Offices Abroad, Restructures Services

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) offices abroad in their current form have increased costs and produced a poor outcome, Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis said last month in Parliament.

Responding to a question asked by New Democracy MP on tourism issues Olga Kefalogianni, Mr. Nikitiadis said the GNTO intends to restructure its services abroad and focus on a more efficient management of funds.

GNTO’s plans see the closing of nine offices abroad: Toronto, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Zurich, Rome, Shanghai, Berlin, Munich and Hamburg.

Under the plan, the closing down of the offices will burden the state budget with 1.6 million euros for compensation and relocation costs.

Mr. Nikitiadis said the GNTO’s aim is to operate the offices as integrated marketing units with the appropriate staffing and specialized roles under the new Greek tourism strategy.