Greek Tourism Minister Invites Japanese Entrepreneurs to Invest in Greece

KEIDANREN Chairman Tokura Masakazu, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Head of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Makoto Takashima, Tourism Secretary General Vasia Koutsoukou, GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has extended an invitation to Japanese entrepreneurs and aviation professionals to invest in the Greek market.

Currently in Tokyo, Minister Kefalogianni met with representatives of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), which includes some of the country’s most influential companies. A comprehensive economic organization, Keidanren is comprised of 1,329 representative companies from Japan, 109 nationwide industrial associations, and 47 regional economic organizations.

During her meeting with Keidanren Europe President and head of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group, Makoto Takashima, as well as the chief executive officers of Mitsubishi Electric and representatives from Japanese airlines ANA and Japan Airlines, she highlighted Greece not only as a premier tourism destination but also as an attractive option for investors.

Kefalogianni emphasized that the Greek government has implemented reforms in recent years, making Greece a more investor-friendly destination. She specifically noted the influx of investments from well-recognized brands in the hospitality sector, resulting in a significant increase in the number of five-star hotels in the country.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Tourism Secretary General Vasia Koutsoukou. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

According to the minister, the Greek Tourism Ministry is hosting a one-stop shop for new investments, streamlining the process for interested parties. She also introduced innovative applications designed to enhance the Greek tourism experience, including the recent launch of mAI Greece, which attracted interest from the Japanese delegation.

Additionally, Minister Kefalogianni underscored the necessity of establishing direct air connections between Greece and Japan, as this would facilitate increased tourist flows and bolster bilateral investments. All participants in the meeting agreed with her proposal.

Keidanren President Takashima noted that Greece and Japan share common democratic values, forming a solid foundation for fruitful dialogue aimed at addressing modern challenges that also impact the tourism sector.

Meeting with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Minister Kefalogianni also met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a prominent figure in Japanese politics. The two officials agreed on the importance of enhancing the presence of women in politics. Minister Kefalogianni referenced the Women Political Leaders network and its summit held in Athens last March, under the auspices of the Greek Tourism Ministry.

Both Greece and Japan have numerous islands, and Governor Koike discussed incentives for families to visit Japan’s smaller islands, along with sustainable development initiatives, including the use of hydrogen for transportation in Tokyo’s harbor. In turn, Kefalogianni presented Greece as a destination offering a unique experience for Japanese travelers, who are particularly interested in Greek culture and gastronomy.

Minister Kefalogianni is in Tokyo to attend the Tourism EXPO Japan 2024 international fair, in which Greece is the honored country.