BSEC Tourism Ministers Meet In Athens, Greece

Ministers in charge of Tourism of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Member States.

The Ministers in charge of Tourism of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Member States agreed to promote and encourage the development of gastronomy tourism and wine tourism within the region.

GNTO Secretary General Panos Livadas, BSEC Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Victor Tvircun, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai.

The decision was made on 23 October during the meeting of the BSEC tourism ministers in Athens, hosted by the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office.

During a press conference after the meeting, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted that the ministers exchanged views on the best ways to exploit the special forms of tourism of gastronomy and wine to create jobs, attract foreign filmmakers, promote local products and regional and local cuisine in the BSEC region.

Mrs. Kefalogianni informed the press that during the meeting it was highlighted that special and alternative forms of tourism can in fact enhance the travel experience, combat seasonality and contribute to employment growth.

The meeting was concluded by the adoption of a joint declaration of the Ministers in charge of tourism of the BSEC Member States on the promotion of tourism in the region and its contribution to economic growth and employment.

In the declaration, the Ministers declared their intention to promote the region as one of the top tourist destinations in the world and as an attractive region for investment in the tourism sector.

On his part, the secretary general of the BSEC, Ambassador Dr. Victor Tvircun, said the meeting in Athens could be characterized as “historical” since it dealt with cooperation in the crucial area of tourism and the roadmap for action for all member countries.