GNTO Receives ‘Marco Polo’ Award for China Market Focus

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was honored with the Marco Polo award as a leading national and regional tourism organization, the China-CEEC’s Tourism Coordination Center announced this week.

The award recognizes actions and tourism initiatives that contribute to CEEC tourist products fine-tuned to the needs of the Chinese market with a focus on local history, traditions, culture, special interests and which include at least three CEE (Central and Eastern European) countries.

The Marco Polo award also recognizes efforts made to attract the interest of Chinese travelers post-Covid.

At the same time, tour operator Traces of Greece, which is endorsed by the GNTO, was also awarded in the “Travel Agencies/Travel Agents” category.

Through the Greek Tourism Ministry and the GNTO, Greece is among 14 countries participating in the China-CEEC 14+1 initiative aimed at promoting tourism exchange. Aiming to strengthen tourist flows from China, the Greek tourism ministry is formulating a strategy to penetrate the Chinese market.

This award highlights the important role of Greek tourist services and the value of the Greek tourist product in the large and important market of China, said GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis, congratulating the Beijing branch and its director Giannis Plexousakis for successfully  working in “very difficult and unfavorable conditions due to the pandemic”.