Greece, France Expand Tourism Cooperation

Atout France Director-General Christian Mantei (second from left) with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (second from right).

Greece and France have announced plans to further cooperate in the tourism sector through joint actions that include the launch of travel packages and the promotion of both countries in specific target markets.

The development of cooperation between Greece and France was discussed in detail between Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Christian Mantei, the Director-General of the French Tourism and Development Agency Atout France, on 26 March in Paris.

During the meeting, Atout France agreed to offer its experience and advise the Greek side on how to achieve a successful cooperation between regions, the private sector and the State for tourism purposes.

The French tourism agency will also provide data to the Greek National Tourism Organization on issues involving organizational structure, as this is an area where Atout France has high expertise as a body engaged in tourism.

Also discussed was the launch of a joint promotion aiming for the tourism development of Greece and France in the markets of U.S., China and Brazil and the creation of Greek-French travel packages. The travel packages would aim to facilitate the movement of travelers – especially those from other continents and long-haul destinations – between the two countries.

These issues and the further strengthening of the cooperation protocol between the two countries (signed last year) will be discussed between both sides in a meeting in Greece this June.

According to official figures released by French tourism professionals, in 2013 visitor arrivals from France to Greece increased by 19.2 percent (1.150 million).

For 2014, the tour operators in France (Association de Tour Operateurs-CETO) see a 15 percent increase of arrivals to Greece compared with the year before.