Greece Eyes Big Growth in Chinese Tourists This Year

This tourism season will see the launch of two flights to Greece from both Shanghai and Beijing, according to an announcement today by the Greek Super-Ministry for Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism.

The launch of the new flights from China to Greece follow the positive results of the first direct air link between Shanghai and Athens that operated last year.

The super-ministry also said that preliminary figures reveal that a high increase of arrivals from China to Greece is expected this year compared to 2013 and 2014.

According to the ministry, Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura will coordinate actions to attract even more Chinese visitors to Greece this season.

Greece goes to influential B2B fair in China

GNTO Secretary General Panos Livadas with Chinese tourism professionals at the GITF 2015 – Guangzhou International Travel Fair. Photo Source: Super-Ministry for Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism

In this direction, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) participated in the GITF 2015 – Guangzhou International Travel Fair held March 6-8. The GITF trade fair is considered one of the most influential B2B fairs focusing on outbound travel, inbound travel and M.I.C.E.

During the fair, the GNTO office China held a special event to introduce Greece to over 20 local tour operators. The country’s comparative advantages were presented as well as the services of Greek travel and tourism enterprises that operate in China.

On his part, GNTO Secretary General Panos Livadas held meetings with leading Chinese tour operators from South China that operate in Greece such as CTS and CGZL and discussed cooperation possibilities.

GNTO to launch webinars, support Chinese film production in Greece

The GNTO office in China this year will launch a series of webinars (online seminars) to inform executives of leading Chinese travel agencies on the Greek tourism product. Over 1,000 executives are expected to participate in the webinars.

In addition, the GNTO will support a new Chinese movie production that will be filmed almost entirely in Greece.

The initiative follows the success of the movie “Beijing Love Story” that was filmed on the island of Santorini and topped the China box office. The GNTO had supported the film that is said to have contributed decisively to the Chinese demand for Santorini.