By Ilias Karagiannis.
Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, has confirmed in an exclusive statement to The Greek Herald that his ministry aims to open an office of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) in Melbourne, Victoria by April this year.
The office will be housed at the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) landmark Greek Centre in Lonsdale Street.
“We are very happy to be able to open an GNTO office in Melbourne, satisfying the request of hundreds of thousands of our expatriates,” Minister Kikilias told The Greek Herald exclusively.
“The relevant legislation will be submitted directly to the Greek Parliament with the aim of having the office operating within the first quarter of the year, showcasing the beauties of our country and making it an attractive destination for Australian travellers.”
The Greek Tourism Minister said he expects to see more visitors from Australia in 2023 because of the influential role of the GNTO office in promoting Greece to travellers.
Mr Kikilias first confirmed to the President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis, this week during a telephone call that the GNTO office would open at the Greek Centre.
Mr Papastergiadis welcomed the news and said “it is a dream come true for us.”
“We are delighted with the Greek government’s decision to go ahead with the opening of the GNTO office at the Greek Centre as it is something we have been encouraging for eight years and finally, Minister Kikilias will make it happen,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
The Greek Tourism Minister also thanked Mr Papastergiadis in his statement for his “very good and constructive cooperation and also for granting the building facilities that will house the GNTO office.”
