Kountoura, TUI Group Strengthen Ties to Boost Greek Tourism

The strategic development and promotion of Greek tourism abroad was the main topic on the agenda of a meeting held between Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and TUI Group’s Thomas Ellerbeck, on Monday in Athens. Mr Ellerbeck is a member of the Group Executive Committee of TUI Group and Group Corporate & External Affairs Director.

“Greece is among TUI Group’s most important markets and among the five most popular destinations of the company worldwide”,  Mr Ellerbeck said.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the possibilities to promote new Greek destinations to overseas markets throughout the year, with a focus on specific forms such as cruise tourism.

Furthermore, Minister Kountoura was informed on the proposals regarding CSR programs that TUI is interested to implement in Greece that focus on strengthening tourism relations by supporting local communities and economies.

“We are promoting Greece as an attractive global 365-days-a-year destination through our new tourism policy”, Ms. Kountoura said after the meeting.

The alternate tourism minister underlined that a strategic partnership with TUI Group was among the tourism ministry’s priorities in order to strengthen tourist flows to popular and new destinations in Greece.

“This collaboration is developing very well and our goal is to expand it in 2017 and in the coming years as well”, she underlined.

On his part, Mr. Ellerbeck said that the Greek tourism ministry is a “trusted and reliable partner” and that TUI is seeking to work together more closely now and in the future. “Our customers love Greece and show a great interest to visit because of the attractiveness and diversity of destinations and the warm hospitality the country offers”, he said.

Ms Kountoura also referred to the overall increase recorded in tourist arrivals to Greece this year.

Referring to the eastern Aegean islands that were under pressure this summer due to the influx of refugees and migrants, she said that Greece carried out its commitments to ensure that the temporary refugee accommodation facilities would be ready immediately, fully monitored and away from places of tourism interest so they would not affect tourist traffic.