Meeting of V. Kikilia with seven ambassadors for the extroversion of Greek tourism

The strong ties between Greece and the Nordic countries in the field of tourism and the strengthening of the strategic extroversion of the Greek tourism product in the Scandinavian market were the focus of the working meeting of the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, with the Swedish Ambassador to Greece. Johan Borgstam.

The working lunch at the house of the Swedish Ambassador, Mr. Johan Borgstam, was attended by the Ambassador of Finland, Mr. Jari Boris Antero Gustafssonn, the Ambassador of Norway, Mr. Frode Overland Andersen and the Ambassador of Denmark, Mr. Holm. The Ambassador of Slovakia, Ms. Iveta Hricova, the Ambassador of Ireland, Ms. Iseult Fitzgerald, and the Ambassador of Spain, Mr. Carles Casajuana, also attended.

As the Minister of Tourism pointed out, our country continues the targeted openings in the international tourist markets, with specific initiatives for the extension of the tourist season that have already begun and are bearing fruit.

The working lunch, which was held on the initiative of the Swedish ambassador to our country, confirmed the optimistic messages from the Scandinavian market, which over time – every summer – ranks Greece among the top tourist destinations. Particularly encouraging are the data from this year’s bookings, with the largest tour operators in Scandinavia adding new destinations, such as Thassos, Alonissos and Kalamata.

As noted by both Mr. Kikilias and the Swedish Ambassador to our country, the promotion of the Greek tourism product contributes significantly to the strengthening of employment by creating new jobs in both countries, a fact that – as underlined by Mr. Borgstam – further enhances Sweden’s interest in the Greek market. The Swedish ambassador referred, in fact, to the example of one of the largest tour operators in Sweden, which specializes in the Greek market and currently employs more than 500 workers in the Nordic countries.

“Tourism is the ‘heavy’ industry of our country, as we are used to saying”, said Mr. Kikilias, giving special emphasis to the promotion of thematic forms of tourism, but also to the new strategic investments that are already implemented in the sector. was inaugurated next week in Lemnos, the new hotel of one of Sweden’s largest tour operators, this is the second major investment made – after the operation of a similar hotel in Sivota – with the new hotel has already received the approval of the Swedish Olympic Committee for the preparation of its athletes on its premises.

“Today, I am here – on the initiative of the Ambassador of Sweden to our country – together with the Ambassadors of the Nordic countries, Slovakia, Ireland and Spain, to inform them about developments in Greek tourism and sustainable tourism model, which we are already implementing with the extension of the tourist season, said the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias and added:

“We also exchanged views on other important issues, such as the employment sector and the bilateral relations of our countries. Tourism is the” heavy “industry of our country, as we are used to saying. And for this reason, we are constantly investing in the industry. Many thanks to Mr. ambassadors, because they are the ambassadors of our country abroad, for its beauties and the unique experiences that every visitor in Greece can live. And, of course, we invite all our Scandinavian friends to visit our country this year as well. ”

For his part, the Swedish Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Johan Borgstam, said: “This is a very happy day, as I have the honor to have next to me my dear friend and Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias. Greece, for many years Sweden is one of the top ten most popular tourist destinations in Sweden, and for us, the tourism industry is very important, as it creates jobs, not only in Greece but also in Sweden. in the Greek tourism market, which told me that it has 500 employees throughout Scandinavia, is the only company that – for this season – has planned to send 400,000 to 500,000 Scandinavian tourists to Greece. that in 2019, arrivals in Greece from Sweden – a country of 10 million inhabitants – reached 850,000, a number that means that about 10% of the population of Sweden chose beautiful Greece for their vacation. This is why I feel deeply happy for the privilege I enjoy of representing Sweden in Greece. “And I am convinced that we will be given the opportunity to further strengthen and promote tourism in Greece, both from Sweden and from the other Nordic countries, given the importance of the tourism product for the Greek economy.”