GNTO Sets Full Agenda to Woo Japanese Tourists to Greece

Photo source: Tourism Expo Japan

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is set to participate in Tourism Expo Japan 2024 in Tokyo with a comprehensive agenda aimed at increasing tourist flows from the Japanese market.

Tourism Expo Japan, a four-day B2B and B2C travel exhibition, is dedicated to the Japanese travel market. Organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the event will feature participation from approximately 1,300 tourism businesses representing 70 countries and destinations worldwide.

This year, Greece has been chosen as the honored country at Tourism Expo Japan scheduled to take place from September 26 to 29.

The GNTO will be present with a dedicated stand, showcasing Greek travel agencies active in the Japanese market. These agencies will participate as co-exhibitors, providing opportunities for deeper collaboration with Japanese stakeholders.

GNTO to present strategic plan to Japanese tourism professionals

GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos and Ambassador of Greece to Japan Nicolaos Argyros. Photo source: GNTO

Leading the Greek delegation, GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos will present Greece’s strategic plan to strengthen its presence in Japan. He will outline the organization’s efforts to the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, JATA and the JNTO, highlighting a targeted communication strategy that promotes Greece’s unique advantages as a destination while appealing to the specific preferences of Japanese travelers.

Key initiatives of the GNTO include introducing new Greek destinations such as Crete, the Dodecanese, the Peloponnese, and Macedonia to Japanese tourism professionals, and discussing the potential benefits of launching direct flights between Greece and Japan.

Fiorentinos will also focus on enhancing Greece’s visibility as a destination that shares cultural values with Japan, emphasizing commonalities such as heritage, hospitality, and environmental stewardship.

GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos (right) with KEIDANREN President Tokura Masakazu and KEIDANREN Europe President and head of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Makoto Takashima. Photo source: GNTO

In addition, the GNTO is planning a series of promotional activities to increase tourist traffic from Japan, including highlighting key events such as the Athens Authentic Marathon. Fiorentinos will also hold meetings with Japanese tour operators to discuss strategies for attracting visitors outside of peak seasons, with a particular focus on Japan’s Golden Week, a popular holiday period in the fall.

The GNTO’s participation in Tourism Expo Japan in Tokyo aligns with the ongoing “2024 Greece-Japan Year of Culture and Tourism”, further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.