Greek Shops to Offer 20% Discount to Tourists from Four ‘Honored Countries’

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Starting from 2016, certain Greek shops every year will offer a 20 percent discount to tourists from four “honored countries”.

The initiative, dubbed “Honored Country”, was presented on Wednesday during a joint press conference held by Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Mardas and the president of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) Vassilis Korkidis.

This year’s four “honored” countries are Israel, Russia, Turkey and the United States.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Mardas, ESEE President Vassilis Korkidis and Aegean Airlines’ PR and Press Director Roula Saloutsi.

During the press conference, Mr Korkidis said that through the initiative, participating Greek shops are aiming to boost commercial activity during the tourism season and also reward the trust that foreign tourists show in Greece.

ESEE’s president further informed that thanks to the D.C.C. (Dynamic Currency Conversion) system, foreign consumers will have the opportunity to pay in their own currency when using credit cards in shops participating in the “Honored Country” initiative.

“This is positive for Greek businessmen as the banks will charge the commission to the card issuer”, he said.

Mr Korkidis also noted that the 20 percent discount is not associated with tax-free as the price  deduction is made directly at the shops.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines is supporting the initiative and will inform visitors from the four honored countries through its inflight magazine found in every seat in all 61 aircraft of the company.

The “honored countries” in 2017 will be China, Iran, Western Balkans and the EU.