Greece Strengthens Ties with Japanese Tourism Professionals

Representatives of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos and Tourism Ministry Secretary General Vasia Koutsoukou.

Aiming to strengthen tourism relations between Greece and Japan, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni attended the Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ) 2024 event that opened in Tokyo on Thursday.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has set up a dedicated stand at the expo, showcasing Greek travel agencies active in the Japanese market. This year, Greece has the honor of being the featured country at Tourism Expo Japan, which runs until September 29.

During her visit to the exhibition, Minister Kefalogianni held a meeting with Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) President Hiroyuki Takahashi to explore ways to boost tourism flows from Japan to Greece.

The discussions included the potential for establishing direct flights between Japan and Greece and a series of initiatives aimed at familiarizing Japanese travel agents with Greek destinations that offer enriched and authentic experiences.

The TEJ Ministerial Round Table held on the sidelines of the Tourism Expo Japan 2024 in Tokyo.

Kefalogianni also participated in the TEJ Ministerial Round Table, where tourism ministers from ten countries, along with representatives from UN Tourism, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the European Travel Commission (ETC), and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), discussed the theme of “Creating a New Travel Journey”, a primary focus of this year’s Tourism Expo Japan.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni at the TEJ Ministerial Round Table in Tokyo.

In her address, Kefalogianni outlined the strategy and policies of the Tourism Ministry aimed at the qualitative development of Greek tourism, emphasizing sustainability and the benefits for the national economy and local communities.

Additionally, the Greek minister held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Montenegro, Simonida Kordić, and Bulgaria, Evtim Miloshev. The main objectives of these meetings were to stimulate tourist traffic to and from the respective countries and to exchange information on sustainable tourism development.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni with Japan’s Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura.

Kefalogianni’s agenda also included a meeting with Japan’s Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura. She informed him about the actions of the Greek Tourism Ministry in light of the “2024 Greece-Japan Year of Culture and Tourism”, making special mention of the special edition of Nikos Kazantzakis’s book “Travelling in Japan” and Robert McCabe’s photo exhibition entitled “Greece, in the Land of Dreams”, which she inaugurated in Tokyo on September 25.

“The rich traditions and natural beauty of both Greece and Japan make them attractive to visitors year-round,” Kefalogianni said.

The minister underlined that Greece and Japan can collaborate to leverage their cultural heritage as a sustainable tourism resource, creating an appealing destination for visitors from both countries, who share a centuries-old tradition and a unique cultural wealth.