Visit of the Greek Minister of Tourism, Mrs Elena Kountoura, to Lebanon, 18-19 March 2019

The internationally recognized Greek strategy for touristic development was presented by the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Elena Kountoura, who was invited by the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Mr. Avedis Guidanian and the President of the Economic and Social Council of Lebanon, Mr. Charles Arbid, at a conference dedicated to the sustainable touristic development, in Beirut, 19th March. The participation of the Greek Minister of Tourism among members of the Lebanese government, development organizations and members of the business and investment community led to the further promotion of Greece and Greek Tourism. The Conference was transmitted live by major Lebanese TV channels.


During her intervention, Mrs Kountoura referred to the Greek touristic strategy 2015-2018 and the best practices that led to a 35% growth of tourist flow, a record breaking number of visitors, tourist related revenue and other related figures, the significant growth of investment in the tourist sector, the spillover effect of the benefits which led to further growth of other productive sectors, the enhancement of Greek extroversion, its institutional role within the world tourist industry, and its establishment as a successful example of touristic development.  The Minister of Tourism presented the Greek tourism development plan for the following years and referred to the close cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism in order to achieve an increase of touristic flows between the two countries and strengthen the attraction of Lebanon as a touristic destination. Ms Kountoura highlighted as well the importance of Tourism for economic and social development, recognized by the respective governments, and the primal role of the interaction between the private and the public sector.

The Minister of Tourism was accompanied by the Ambassador of Greece in Lebanon, Mr. Franciscos Verros and the Vice President of the Greek National Tourist Organization, Mrs Angeliki Chondromatidou.