Promotion of Health and Wellness Tourism on Greece’s Agenda

Issues related to dynamically promoting Greek health and wellness tourism to markets abroad were among the main topics discussed during a recent meeting between Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) President George Patoulis.

KEDE President George Patoulis and Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Health and wellness tourism is among the thematic forms of tourism on the promotional agenda of the tourism ministry in its aim to establish Greece as a 365 days a year destination. According to Kountoura, the development of thematic tourism forms is a strategic priority in the ministry’s policy, as it creates new and multipler benefits for tourism development.

During the meeting, Kountoura and Patoulis discussed the new opportunities that the organized development of thematic tourism forms creates for the municipalities and the local communities throughout Greece.

Moreover, the two parties discussed the great demand and the positive prospects that the form of wedding/honeymoon tourism has on tourism destinations in the country.

Patoulis: Health tourism can boost Greece’s economy

Patoulis recently focused on the importance of health tourism for the development of Greece’s economy and local communities in general.

Speaking during the 5th Union Congress of Freelance Cardiologists of Greece held in Volos earlier this month, Patoulis stressed the need for a comprehensive national strategy for Greece to stand in the global medical tourism market.

“Local government in collaboration with the the country’s scientific world is working systematically to establish health tourism as a means for development,” Patoulis said, adding that KEDE develops initiatives aiming to highlight Greece as a leading year round tourism destination and to make health tourism a lever for the development of the national economy.

“With systematic effort, we want to put Greece high on the global medical tourism map,” he said.

Patoulis was recently elected chairman of the Greek Medical Tourism Council (ELITOUR). He is also the president of the Athens Medical Association.

A founding member of the Global Healthcare Travel Council, ELITOUR is an Athens-based non-governmental organization promoting health tourism in Greece, through cooperation with respective bodies abroad on global issues related to medical tourism.