Greece is seeking to establish a stronger and more sustainable presence in India’s rapidly developing tourism market, with the aim of attracting visitors throughout the year and expanding cooperation between the two countries’ tourism industries.
The initiative gained momentum following the TAFI Convention held in Rhodes, which brought together Indian travel professionals and Greek tourism stakeholders to explore new business opportunities and promote Greece as a destination for Indian travellers.
Speaking to Tourism Today, Nikos Kavalieros, Managing Director of WOTF Group, described the convention as an important opportunity to introduce Greece to India’s tourism industry and lay the foundations for long-term commercial partnerships.
According to Kavalieros, the event generated more than 300 business meetings, while memoranda of cooperation were also signed, creating opportunities for new partnerships between Indian travel companies and Greek destinations. WOTF Group played an active role in bringing the convention to Rhodes.
Read more: Rhodes hosts India’s travel trade for the TAFI Convention
However, he stressed that the real measure of success would be whether the interest generated during the event translates into actual tourist arrivals, new travel routes and tourism activity throughout the year.
Rhodes and Greece’s wider tourism potential
The response from Indian participants was particularly encouraging, with Rhodes making a strong impression through its history, infrastructure, hospitality and suitability for different types of travel.
Kavalieros noted that Indian tourism professionals expressed interest in the island for family holidays, weddings, incentive travel and leisure tourism. For many participants, Rhodes was a destination they had not previously incorporated into their programmes, highlighting the potential for Greece to expand its reach in the Indian market.
Nevertheless, Rhodes is only the starting point of a broader strategy.
Athens offers opportunities for cultural tourism and combined travel experiences, while Central Greece could attract visitors through its historical heritage, mountains and winter tourism. Destinations such as Arachova, Mount Parnassus and Karpenisi were highlighted as areas with considerable potential.
The Peloponnese could also develop specialised thematic tourism experiences, while the North Aegean islands of Lemnos and Samos offer distinctive historical and cultural attractions that could appeal to Indian travellers.
Kavalieros outlined his vision of presenting Greece as a destination that can be experienced across all four seasons, appealing to visitors through a diverse range of cultural, natural and leisure experiences.
Air connectivity and visa procedures remain key challenges
Despite the opportunities, several obstacles must be addressed if Greece is to establish itself as a competitive destination for Indian travellers.
According to Kavalieros, discussions with Indian travel agents and tour operators repeatedly highlighted three main challenges: visa procedures, air connectivity and the need for more consistent promotion of Greece in India.
He argued that a successful convention alone would not be sufficient to secure long-term results. Greece needs a sustained presence in the Indian market, stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors, and relationships of trust with Indian tourism professionals.
A long-term strategy will therefore be essential to turn the growing interest into a steady flow of visitors.
New cooperation agreements aim to expand Greek tourism
The memoranda of cooperation signed between the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), the Region of Central Greece and the Region of the South Aegean provide a framework for developing more concrete initiatives.
The next steps could include familiarisation trips for Indian tourism professionals to Greek destinations, business delegations to India, joint promotional campaigns and the development of commercially viable tourism packages.
WOTF Group intends to contribute actively to these efforts by drawing on its experience and knowledge of the Indian tourism market.
Kavalieros emphasised that the work begins after the convention, with the focus shifting towards implementing the partnerships and converting the opportunities identified into tangible results.
The broader ambition is to establish a stable tourism bridge between Greece and India, generating travel and business opportunities throughout all twelve months of the year.
Source: Interview with Nikos Kavalieros, Managing Director of WOTF Group, published by Tourism Today on November 2, 2026.
