Greece May Open GNTO Branch in Melbourne

Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura with the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis. They are accompanied by SYRIZA MP Chrysoula Katsavria – Sioropoulou and member of the Special Permanent Committee of Hellenism of the Diaspora (L) and the Secretary General of Tourism Evridiki Kourneta.

By Nikos Krinis

Greece is seeking to boost its presence in the Australian market with targeted promotional actions and the opening of a Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) branch in Melbourne, the Tourism Ministry said recently in an announcement.

The issue was discussed last month in Athens, during a meeting between Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis.

During his meeting with Minister Kountoura, Papastergiadis presented the activities of the Greek Community of Melbourne and highlighted the importance of promoting Greek tourism in Australia through the operation of a GNTO branch there, in a space within the community’s building in Melbourne.

Moreover, Papastergiadis underlined his strong interest in strengthening tourism relations as well as improving the connectivity between the two countries through an enhanced direct air service.

On her part, Kountoura discussed the ministry’s plans to dynamically promote Greece in Australia in order to attract more Australian tourists in the coming years.

The minister also informed Papastergiadis about Greece’s tourism policy that aims to attract tourists 365 days a year and also mentioned the positive course of Greek tourism in 2017.

The two parties also discussed the organization of the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival to be held next February, to which Papastergiadis invited Minister Kountoura to attend.

Papastergiadis’ proposal for the opening of a GNTO branch in the GCM building was also welcomed by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Moreover, Tsipras was impressed with the activities of the GCM and the Greek-Australian community in general, and expressed the wish to visit Australia next year, during the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival.

During his stay in Athens in July, Papastergiadis also met with Hellenic Republic President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou and leaders of political parties.