Greece – China Agree to Take Tourism Cooperation a Step Further for 10th BRI Anniversary
Tourism could serve as a “bridge of friendship” bringing people together, said Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during a special event held in Athens this week marking the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Organized by the Embassy of China in Athens in collaboration with China Media Group (CMG), the event titled “An Ancient Path to Modern Prosperity” was attended by Greek government ministers, officials and China’s Ambassador to Greece, Xiao Junzheng.
As part of the BRI launched in 2013, China has invested in more than 150 countries. Greece has signed up to the BRI.
Addressing the event, Kefalogianni highlighted the importance of tourism as a means of diplomacy and that Greece and China share a common cultural legacy serving as the centers of culture in the West and East, respectively.
The minister went on to add that Greece hopes to further enhance ties with China and to work together to increase tourist flows between the two countries.
“In the last few years, the Greek tourism ministry has made significant efforts for tourism development and aiming to welcome more Chinese tourists, who will in turn become ambassadors of Greece-China friendship,” she said.
Kefalogianni said extending the tourism season was a top priority for the ministry as well as distributing tourist flows to destinations across Greece while focusing development on sustainability and supporting local communities.
During her speech, Kefalogianni invited Chinese travelers to visit Greece, adding that the country can meet their demands and expectations with its history, archaeology, culture, natural landscapes, world-famous Greek cuisine, and alternative forms of tourism.
On the sidelines of the day event, the minister met with the President of the CMG, Shen Haixiong, who is currently on his first official visit to Greece.
Shen said the CMG would be telling the stories of the Chinese and Greek civilizations and encouraging cultural exchange. The two also discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in tourism and the promotion of the two countries through CMG outlets. Lastly, Shen invited Kefalogianni to China in order to finalize a plan for cooperation.