Mastercard Offers Technology Knowhow for the Restart of Greek Tourism

Mastercard, an international technology company offering a global payment processing network, has joined forces with the Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the Municipality of Athens to support their efforts for the restart of the tourism industry in Greece.

During the recent online Delphic Economic Forum 2020, the company announced the launch of new innovative tools for travelers, as well as initiatives that aim to offer “priceless experiences” and support Greek tourism in the post-COVID-19 era.

“Tourism is at the heart of Mastercard’s business operation, that over time has helped create better travel experiences by allowing people to apply the same payment solutions they use in their daily lives,” Aspa Palimeri, the Country Manager of Mastercard for Greece, Cyprus and Malta said during the event.

‘This is just the beginning… Tourism has a special place in our hearts. We believe in the power of public-private partnerships and we are ready to offer our knowhow and tools to support the restart of the tourism industry,” she added.

Aspa Palimeri, the Country Manager of Mastercard for Greece, Cyprus and Malta, participated in the presentation of the Visit Greece app during a recent event held on Santorini.

Visit Greece app

Mastercard, along with Eurobank, has sponsored the Ministry’s new Visit Greece mobile application, which aims to offer valuable information and upgrade the overall experience of visitors during their trip to the country.

The company has also contributed to the design of the new app through its Priceless Cities platform by offering a number of especially curated travel experiences.

Having observed the intention of people to value experiences more than material goods, Mastercard developed Priceless Cities to provide its cardholders with a wealth of experiences and the opportunity to connect with the destination. Greece is the platform’s latest addition.

The Visit Greece app is expected to launch by the end of the month and will initially be available in Greek and English.

Stay in Athens

© Maria Theofanopoulou

Meanwhile, Mastercard continues it long-term partnership with the Municipality of Athens. During the Delphi Economic Forum 2020, Aspa Palimeri and Vangelis Vlachos, CEO of the Athens Development & Destinations Management Agency, presented the Stay in Athens program that looks to promote the Greek capital as a city-break destination throughout the year.

According to Palimeri, the new program gives Greek and foreign visitors the opportunity to take advantage of special offers and discounts for accommodation in some of the city’s most beautiful hotels, while creating multiple benefits for businesses in terms of bookings and promotion.

Tourism Insights

Mastercard is also collaborating with the GNTO for the development of a communication campaign aimed at further promoting Greece as a tourist destination among affluent travelers.

The company has contributed to the campaign’s design with its “Tourism Insights” platform that collects and organizes data from a wide range of sources, and offers insight on the way tourists operate before, during and after their trip.

When used properly, this data can provide answers to critical questions, help tourism stakeholders develop more effective strategies and enhance the flexibility and resilience of the industry.

Mastercard’s Aspa Palimeri (right) participated in a panel discussion titled, “Techonolgy and data: Helping tourism make headway after the standstill”, along with Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis; Maria Founta, Country Marketing Manager Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Google; Vangelis Vlachos, CEO, Athens Development & Destinations Management Agency; and Maria Theofanopoulou, Owner, Greek Travel Pages.

Mastercard is also offering valuable data to the Athens Development & Destinations Management Agency for the development of a Tourism Observatory in Athens, which will provide municipal authorities with necessary information to boost tourism growth in the Greek capital.