Tourism Minister Promotes Greece In Australia

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo: ADDMA

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni promoted Greece to representatives of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), during a meeting held in Sydney on 16 May.

The meeting took place during the Greek tourism minister’s official visit to Australia, which began on 11 May.

During the meeting, Mrs. Kefalogianni analyzed Greece’s strategy to further develop tourism and informed on the country’s comparative advantages as a holiday destination. On their part, the AFTA representatives informed that Greece has a good image and much potential in the Australian market.

According to Bank of Greece, the average expenditure per trip of Australians visiting Greece is 1,369 euros.

On 15 May, the tourism minister held a meeting with New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, and discussed the recently signed Work and Holiday Visa agreement between Greece and Australia that allows young adults (aged 18-30) to obtain a tourist visa for travel between both countries to live and work for up to 12 months. The agreement is expected to strengthen the relations and the development of multiple partnerships between Greece and Australia.

Mrs. Kefalogianni also met with expat mayors and local advisers of Sydney who expressed their support to the effort of the Greek Tourism Ministry and the government in general. The tourism minister also met with leading tour operators in Sydney and gave an interview to Australia’s national broadcaster ABC.

This is the first time a tourism minister of Greece has visited Australia.