The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has welcomed the announcement by Greece’s Ministry of Tourism regarding the immediate operation of an office of the Greek Tourism Organisation (EOT) at the Greek Centre in Melbourne.
On May 21, EOT announced the immediate recruitment for the position of Head of the office based at the Greek Centre in Melbourne, with local jurisdiction covering Australia, New Zealand, and other island nations of Oceania.
Over the past nine years, the GCM has engaged in a series of contacts and démarches with the Greek Government, the relevant ministries, and associated bodies, advocating for the establishment of an EOT office in Melbourne.
The President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis, expressed his delight at this significant initiative, emphasising its importance for strengthening ties not only between Greece and Australia, but also between Greece and the Greek diaspora.
“We warmly welcome this move, which will not only strengthen Greek Australian relations but also promote the cultural and tourist image of our homeland,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“The Ministry of Tourism is becoming another bridge connecting the Greek diaspora in Australia with the motherland. The EOT office in Melbourne will serve as a reference point for promoting Greek tourism and history, as well as preserving Greek cultural heritage through conferences, lectures, and exhibitions, enhancing communication and collaboration with the Greek diaspora.
“We have committed to providing the necessary space in the Greek Centre building to host the EOT offices, offering two years of free use of the facilities, without financial burden, as a return for the government’s support to our community during the economic crisis. Additionally, we maintain open channels of communication with Greek bodies and actively cooperate to facilitate the relevant actions.”
The Ministry of Tourism has confirmed that “the aim is to staff the EOT office in Melbourne immediately as requested by the GCM so that its operations can commence as soon as possible, which is very important ahead of the tourist season.”
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