Aegean Islands Promoted as Wedding Destinations for Chinese Tourists

Rhodes, Greece.

As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the South Aegean Region is reaching out to the Chinese market, with a focus on promoting Rhodes and other islands as ideal wedding tourism destinations.

In this direction, Vice Governor of Tourism, Marietta Papavasileiou welcomed to Rhodes, this week, a delegation from the Yunnan Province consisting of wedding tourism organizers and Chinese media.

A bride from China on Santorini.

Regional authorities are laying out the groundwork for the promotion of the Greek islands as wedding and honeymoon destinations ahead of a group wedding event set to take place on Rhodes in October. The event will bring dozens of Chinese wedding planners, tourism professionals, government officials and media to the island, casting the international spotlight on the South Aegean Region, while paving the way for partnerships between businesses in both regions.

“The Chinese adore Greece, and our islands. It is a challenge for us to approach the Chinese tourist market, a market of 150 million potential tourists. Following the direct air link between Athens and Beijing, the South Aegean Region comes to claim a share of China’s wedding and honeymoon tourism market, and to boost tourist flows to all islands,” said Papavasileiou.

Photo Source: South Aegean Region

The South Aegean Region discussed the idea during a presentation at the China International Travel Mart (CITM) in Kunming, last year. On occasion of the October wedding event, major Rhodes and island sites, culture, gastronomy and local traditions will be presented with the participation of the the Chinese couples to wed.

Greece has been stepping up efforts to attract more Chinese tourists to the country with a series of actions, partnerships and PPP synergies.