Greece To Target Emerging Markets Through New Tourism Strategy

GNTO Secretary General Panos Livadas presenting Greece’s new communication strategy for tourism to professionals figures. Photo © GTP

Greece will promote its tourism product through modern media promotion tools, according to the country’s new three-year communication strategy for tourism that was presented in Athens on 25 June.

“The Internet, technology and new media constitute a revolution in the global tourism market,” the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) Secretary General Panos Livadas said while presenting the new strategy.

Greece’s new tourism strategy is adapted to the habits of tourists, destination choice criteria, the way travelers seek information and the channels used to purchase services and organize trips.

The new strategy aims to increase demand from traditional and emerging markets that have the strong growth potential.

New target markets: China, Russia and Brazil

Emerging markets for Greece: China, Russia and Brazil.

During the presentation, Mr. Livadas referred to a series of actions already taken by the GNTO and also presented some that should launch soon in the promising markets of China, Brazil and Russia.

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  GNTO website – Chinese version.

  China: The GNTO’s secretary general referred to the recently launched temporary Athens-Shanghai air route and informed that discussions are taking place for an air connection between the Greek capital and Beijing. The GNTO also plans to launch online activities through major Chinese platforms and networks as well as Chinese-language campaigns promoting Greece. Mr. Livadas also referred to the launch of the Chinese version of Greece’s official tourism website (visitgreece.gr.cn).

• Russia: The GNTO’s plans for promotion in the Russian market include an online presence of Greece through leading Russian platforms and networks. Targeted events and workshops will also launch to promote Greece in Russia. Russia has become one of the most promising markets for Greek tourism.

• Brazil: Greece considers Brazil another important market. The GNTO has decided to open an office in Sao Paulo to better cater to the needs of Brazilian travelers.

In regards to the United States market, Mr. Livadas referred to a series of webinars the GNTO has launched for American travel agents to introduce Greece as a destination.

Also, aiming to better cater to the needs of visitors to Greece, the GNTO has launched a cooperation with Greek Travel Pages (GTP) to include the entire year’s day by day ferry schedules for travel to all of the country’s destinations on the visitgreece.gr website (above photo).

Greece’s official website visitgreece.gr attracts the attention of 8.5 million users from around the world.

In addition, the GNTO will continue its cooperation with key players in the international tourism market (Expedia.com, Lastminute.com, Tripadvisor.com, Travelocity.com, Travelzoo.com, Yahoo.com, Orbitz.com) for Greece’s promotion in specific countries. In regards to promotion via social media, Greece will promote its best to the world via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, Youtube, Foursquare and Flickr.

Greece: A world of Destinations. Thousands of lands and Islands.