The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is set to open an Australia Abroad Office in Melbourne, a significant step in promoting Greece as a tourist destination and strengthening ties between the two countries.
The office will be located in the 15-story Cultural Center of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), which has generously provided space and two years of free facility use to support its establishment.
In a recent letter to GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM, GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos said that the selection and appointment process for the office’s head is currently underway and expected to be completed soon.
Recognizing GCM’s key role in launching the office, Fiorentinos emphasized its importance in promoting Greek tourism.
“Australia is a strategic market for Greek tourism as it presents opportunities for growth in traffic to Greece throughout the year, with multiple positive results for tourism and the Greek economy. The Greek diaspora, with its long-standing strong presence in this friendly country, can make a dynamic contribution to the achievement of the national strategic objectives for tourism, supporting in many ways the promotion of our country,” he said.
Papastergiadis also highlighted the positive impact of the new office. “The presence of the GNTO in Melbourne will further strengthen the connection between our two countries and should lead to an increase in tourism between Australia and Greece. This additional tourism will hopefully also lead to other exchanges whether they are in culture or education. The greater the connections between our two countries, the more the opportunities for such exchanges,” he said.
The Greek Community of Melbourne, established in 1897, is a prominent organization representing Victoria’s large and vibrant Greek community. It offers educational programs to over 2,000 students, organizes cultural initiatives such as the Antipodes Festival, and advocates on a broad range of issues.