Greece – China Connection Getting Stronger Through Tourism

China’s Ambassador to Athens Xiao Junzheng, Juneyao Air Chairman Wang Junjin, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Attica Region Deputy Governor Christina Kefalogianni.

The connection between Greece and China is getting stronger, said Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during a special ceremony this week marking the arrival of the first direct flight from Shanghai by Juneyao Air.

During the event, attended by Juneyao Air Chairman Wang Junjin and China’s Ambassador to Athens Xiao Junzheng, Kefalogianni said the airline’s inaugural flight from Shanghai to Athens on Tuesday was a major step and strong incentive to boost travel flows between Greece and China.

In the same direction, Air China announced last month that it would be increasing flights between Athens and Beijing from three to five weekly flights, starting this month.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni speaking at the ceremony.

According to Fan Heyun, the carrier’s general manager in Greece, Athens-Beijing flights this summer are set increase by 67 percent compared to 2019.

Indicatively, demand for Greece by Chinese travelers is on the rise. In 2023, arrivals from China to Athens increased by 90 percent over pre-Covid 2019 levels to 95,000.

Late last year, Greece and China signed a bilateral aviation agreement modernizing the institutional aviation framework and enhancing the transport of passengers and goods between the two countries.

Greece has taken steps to strengthen cooperation with China in tourism and business. Last year, China’s largest credit rating agencies upgraded Greece to investment grade paving the way for investments between the two countries.