Tourism Ministry Aiming to Promote Shopping in Greece

Tourism Ministry Vassilis Kikilias. Photo source: Tourism Ministry.

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias proposed launching a campaign that will encourage travelers to shop in Greece, during a Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) event in Athens this week.

Speaking during the ESEE’s “Trade and Tourism” conference held at the Museum of Cycladic Art, Kikilias underlined the importance of cooperation between stakeholders in trade and tourism, adding that there was fertile ground for synergies that will create multiple benefits for both segments of the economy.

“Tourism and trade are interrelated,” said Kikilias following the presentation of an ESEE study conducted by the Institute of Trade and Services (INEMY).

Karanikas and Kikilias discussing the findings of ESEE’s study at the “Trade and Tourism” conference. Photo source: ESEE

“ESEE represents the backbone of the Greek economy; small and medium-sized (SMEs) enterprises which support the Greek tourist product,” the minister said, adding that trade is an integral part of the Greek travel experience.

In view of the findings, Kikilias proposed an alliance between the ministry and ESEE through a memorandum of cooperation for the promotion of “Shopping in Greece” and the formulation together with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) of a targeted campaign encouraging visitors to do their shopping in Greece.

ESEE President George Karanikas welcomed the proposal, adding that the next step should involve transitioning to a sustainable model across the tourism ecosystem which would include all sectors active in and related to tourism, such as trade, agrifood, and the creative economy.

ESEE President George Karanikas. Photo source: ESEE

Achieving this, Karanikas said, required providing SMEs with the necessary tools so that they can sell their products remotely to tourists after their departure. In this direction, he referred to funding options for SMEs and establishing a legal framework that will include businesses active in tourism so that these will be eligible for financing programs related to tourism.