The strong ties between Greece and the Nordic countries in tourism and the strengthening of the Greek tourism market’s strategic outward direction in the Scandinavian market were in focus for working meeting between the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, and Johan Borgstam, the Swedish Ambassador to Greece.
The working lunch in the Swedish ambassador Johan Borgstam’s residence was also attended by the Finnish ambassador, Jari Boris Antero Gustafsson, the Norwegian ambassador, Frode Overland Andersen and the Danish ambassador, Klavs Holm. Also attending was the Ambassador of Slovakia, Iveta Hricova, the Ambassador of Ireland, Iseult Fitzgerald, and the Ambassador of Spain, Mr. Carles Casajuana.
As the Minister for Tourism pointed out, Greece is continuing with a targeted exposure in the international tourism market, with specific initiatives to extend the tourist season that has already begun, the results of which can be seen. The working lunch, which was held on the initiative of the Swedish ambassador to Greece, confirmed the optimistic messages from the Scandinavian market, which always – every summer – ranks Greece among its top tourist destinations. The data from this year’s bookings are particularly encouraging, while the largest tour operators in Scandinavia are expanding its destination roster to include Thassos, Alonissos and Kalamata.
As noted by both Kikilias and the Swedish ambassador, the promotion of the Greek tourism product contributes significantly to strengthening employment by creating new jobs in both countries, a fact which – as emphasized by Borgstam – further strengthens Sweden’s interest in the Greek market. The Swedish ambassador drew particular attention to the example of one of the largest tour operators in Sweden, which specializes in the Greek market and currently employs more than 500 people in the Nordic region.
“Tourism is, as we often say, the ‘heavy’ industry in our country,” said Kikilias, emphasizing the promotion of thematic tourism, but also the new strategic investments already being made in the tourism sector. Sports tourism was especially mentioned, due to the inauguration, on the island of Lemnos, next week by the new hotel for one of the largest tour operators in Sweden. This is the second major investment – after the inauguration of a similar hotel in Sivota – where the new hotel has already received the approval of the Swedish Olympic Committee to prepare its athletes on its premises.
Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias noted:
“Today I am here – on the initiative of Sweden’s ambassador to Greece – together with the ambassadors from the Nordic countries, and from Slovakia, Ireland and Spain, to inform them about developments in Greek tourism and the model for sustainable tourism, which we are already implementing in and with the extension of the tourist season. We also exchanged views on other important issues, such as employment and the bilateral relations of our countries. Tourism is the “heavy” industry in our country, as we usually say. And for this reason we are constantly investing in this industry. I would very much like to thank all the ambassadors, as they are also our country’s ambassadors abroad in terms of its beauties and the unique experiences that every visitor to Greece can experience. And, of course, we invite all our Scandinavian friends to visit our country again this year”.
The Swedish Ambassador to Greece, Johan Borgstam, said:
“This is a joyful day, as I have the honor to stand next to my dear friend and Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias. Greece has for many years been among the ten most popular tourist destinations for Sweden. For us, the tourism industry is very important, because it creates jobs, not only in Greece but also in Sweden. In a recent conversation I had with a Swedish company that specializes in Greek tourism I was informed that it employs 500 people across Scandinavia. This is just one company, and it plans to send some 400,000 to 500,000 Scandinavian tourists to Greece this summer season alone; let us not forget that in 2019, 850,000 tourists came to Greece from Sweden – a country with 10 million inhabitants, a figure that means that about 10% of Sweden’s inhabitants chose beautiful Greece for their holiday, which is why I feel deeply happy about the privilege I enjoy representing Sweden in Greece, and I am convinced that we will to 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”.
