By Ilias Karagiannis
A project described as being of strategic importance for both Greek tourism and the Greek Australian community remains in limbo, with the long-promised reopening of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) office in Melbourne, Victoria still delayed.
Despite repeated government commitments, the office’s re-establishment has stalled, sparking frustration within the diaspora and among community leaders.
The issue has now reached the Greek Parliament, where 12 SYRIZA-PS MPs submitted a formal question to Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on Friday, 5 September 2025.
The MPs reminded Parliament that the office was first announced in January 2023 by then minister Vassilis Kikilias and reaffirmed in April of the same year. Yet, two and a half years on, the initiative has been bogged down in bureaucracy.
The question was co-signed by MPs Kalliopi Vetta, Giorgos Gavrilos, Christos Giannoulis, Miltos Zamparas, Marina Kontotoli, Haris Mamoulakis, Alexandros Meikopoulos, Konstantinos Barkas, Katerina Notopoulou, Giorgos Papailiou, Popi Tsapanidou and Giorgos Psychogios.
Community support, lingering frustration
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) welcomed the announcement in 2023 and offered office space at the Greek Centre on Lonsdale Street rent-free for two years, as well as support with fitting out the premises.
However, its Board recently expressed disappointment at what it called “systemic delays and bureaucratic obstacles” that have plagued the project for seven years, across successive governments.
The Greek Herald has monitored the matter closely since its inception, publishing extensive reports and interviews — including one with then-Minister Kikilias in January 2023, when he promoted the office as a landmark initiative that would reshape Greece’s tourism presence in Australia. Those expectations, however, remain unfulfilled.
Why Australia matters
In their question, the SYRIZA MPs stressed that Australia is one of the world’s largest economies, with strong connections to Asia, making it of significant international strategic importance to Greece.
They argued that a GNTO office in Melbourne would not only strengthen ties with the Greek diaspora — numbering around 300,000 in Melbourne alone — but also help boost Greek tourism across Oceania.
Recent data underscores the potential of the Australian market. Greece ranks as the third most preferred destination for Australians, with 2024 figures showing a 45.5% rise in average per capita spending (€1,594.4) and a 62.9% increase in spending per overnight stay compared with 2019.
Although Australian visitors represent a smaller share of arrivals, they are considered particularly high-value tourists.
Demands for clarity
The SYRIZA MPs are now pressing the Ministry of Tourism to explain the reasons behind the ongoing delay, why the project has not been treated as a priority, and when exactly the office will become operational.
The remit of the office, once opened, is expected to cover Australia, New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.
The central question — raised repeatedly by The Greek Herald and still unanswered — remains: Why is a project recognised as strategically vital for Greek tourism and diaspora relations not treated as a priority? And when will Greek Australians finally see the promise fulfilled?
