Greek Tourism Ministry Moves to Central Omonia Square

The Greek tourism ministry together with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) will be moving to Omonia Square in central Athens, after the ETEAEP social security fund agreed to lease a building it owns for a period of 30 years.

Currently vacant, the historic 10,247m2 building on Socratous St, housed the Hotel Ambassadeur between 1961 and 1980 and later served as Athens Court of Appeal to 2000.

“[The move] will contribute to the upgrade of the entire region, which has lost the glamor of the past, while at the same time ensuring annual savings of 1.8 million euros in public funds,” said Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis.

Authorities expect the move to contribute to the overall enhancement of the area and to the improvement of its reputation, particularly in view of the planned overhaul of Omonia Square, which is scheduled to be completed next week.

The facelift includes cleaning, lighting, and road works, promised by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, who announced late last year that at least 10 hotels would be soon be opening in the Omonia Square area, with over 2,000 rooms.

Greece’s tourism ministry is currently located on Tsocha St in the central  Ambelokipi area. Two years ago, the ETEAP through the labor ministry launched a public tender for the lease of the building.