Investments, Greek Tourism Promotion Top Kountoura’s Agenda in New York

Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura with Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross (L). Starting from January 2017, Ross will be the secretary of the Department of Commerce in the US.

Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura invited top American and global entrepreneurs to invest in the growing Greek tourism sector, while speaking at the 18th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum in New York on Monday.

Leading a panel discussion on “Investment Opportunities in Tourism & Hospitality”, Minister Kountoura spoke of Greek tourism’s upward trend during 2015-2016 and the positive outlook for 2017.

The minister underlined that conditions for tourism growth and attracting new investments in the sector have been created through Greece’s tourism policy, as well as through the closer ties formed between the public and private sectors.

She also referred to Greece’s new investment-friendly framework and listed many of the ministry’s regulations aimed at removing bureaucratic hurdles, simplifying the licensing and operational procedures of tourism enterprises and encouraging new investment projects.

The 18th Capital Link Forum was attended by delegates from international investment funds, financial institutions, multinational companies, organizations and business leaders.

Following the forum and accompanied by the Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, Yiorgos Tziallas, Minister Kountoura held meetings with Greek American investors. During the meetings, Tziallas referred to the new possibilities in the Greek tourism environment and analyzed the investment opportunities available regarding Greece’s thematic tourism products.

Kountoura also met with representatives of New York’s main tour operators to strengthen next year’s travel packages and push for direct air routes all year round from America to Greece, following the increase of flights in the 2016 summer season.

Moreover, the minister met with major players of the US movie industry to attract more films to Greece and discussed with representatives from American Universities and educational institutes on organizing educational trips and holidays to Greek destinations.