Greece and Shanghai Explore New Opportunities for Tourism Collaboration

Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng with GNTO’s Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos. Photo source: GNTO

Greece, through the initiatives of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), is exploring new opportunities to enhance tourism ties with Shanghai.

This was the central topic of a recent meeting in Athens between GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng. The discussion, attended by a delegation from Shanghai, focused on tourism as a key driver of bilateral relations.

Also in attendance were Athens International Airport Communications and Marketing Director Ioanna Papadopoulou, Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qui, and Juneyao Air Chairman Wang Junjin.

During the meeting, Fiorentinos highlighted the opportunities emerging between the two sides, especially following the launch of direct flights from Shanghai to Athens by Juneyao Air, which brought over 50,000 Chinese visitors to the Greek capital in 2024.

Fiorentinos highlighted that this success was driven by four weekly flights operating from April to October, with plans to increase frequencies in 2025.

While in Athens, the Chinese delegation also met with Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, who, together with Mayor Gong Zheng, signed a city twinning agreement, marking a significant milestone in the growing collaboration between the two cities.