GNTO Sees Boost in Arrivals and Early Bookings from Russia to Greece

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Autumn arrivals from Russia to Greece are on the rise compared to the same period in 2018, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) said on Tuesday.

According to an announcement, arrivals to Greece from Russia in September and October are expected to reach a 10 percent year-on-year increase, while early bookings for 2020 are also on the up.

The figures were released following the organization’s participation in the INWETEX – CIS Travel Market, one of the leading travel trade fairs held in St Petersburg, Russia, which this year was said to have hosted over 300 representatives of the international tourism industry from 30 countries, who presented their products and services.

The head of the GNTO exhibitions department, Katerina Meimaroglou; Consul General of Greece in St Petersburg Spyros Voulgaris; the Secretary of the Synod Office, Archimandrite Spyridon Katramados; the head of the GNTO office in Russia & CIS Polykarpos Efstathiou; Member of the Board of Directors of the Synod office Evangelos Feggoulis.

During the travel fair, the GNTO focused on promoting Greece’s religious tourism destinations and products, while its stand featured new printed material, created in collaboration with the Church of Greece, as well as the churches of Crete, the Dodecanese islands, and Mount Athos.

The Greek stand also hosted the Region of Central Macedonia as well as representatives of tourism agencies and airlines.

Furthermore, the GNTO held a special reception during the fair to honor St Petersburg’s tour operators and media representatives.

Mount Athos, Simonopetra Monastery. Photo Source: Visit Greece / H. Kakarouhas

The INWETEX – CIS Travel Market fair coincided with the 23rd General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which was held in St Petersburg during September 9-13 and hosted delegations from 150 countries.