Alternate Minister Kountoura visit to Korea-Direct Flights to Greece from July through September 2015.

Ms Elena Kountoura, the Greek Alternate Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, secured the Korean Government’s support for the development of Greek tourism, during her visit to Seoul, on the occasion of Greece’s participation at the International Tourism Fair ‘KOTFA’.

During her talks with Mr. Kim Chong, the Korean Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms. Kountoura highlighted that the Republic of Korea remains an important priority for the tourism policy of our country, within the context of our access to new markets. She also added that the KOTFA Tourism Fair will be included into the Greek National Tourism Organization’s program, while further proposing to organize more cultural exchanges and festivals that promote our country in the Republic of Korea. Mr. Kim Chong welcomed the Alternate Minister to the country and thanked her for Greece’s participation at KOTFA.

Ms. Kountoura also met with the Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans, Mr. Park Sungchon, who thanked Greece for its participation in the Korean War. In fact, the conversation became touching and emotional when Minister Park was informed that the Alternate Minister’s father was a Korean War Veteran. Mr. Park pledged to support the development of Greek tourism and highlighted that tourism will play a key role in the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.

During her meeting with the president of KOREAN AIR, Ms. Kountoura expressed her appreciation for the introduction of direct charter flights from Seoul to Athens, from July to September 2015, which will be carried out by HANJIN, a subsidiary of KOREAN AIR. She also added that a regular implementation of these flights in the future, will facilitate further the flow of tourists from the Republic of Korea and the bilateral trade through cargo flights.

Ms. Kountoura also met with leading South Korean tour operators, to whom she presented some of her key policy objectives; one of which is the prolonging of the Greek tourism season, while adding that our country remains a top and safe tourism destination. She also asked for their support for the charter flights operation, which will contribute to the regular direct connection between the two capitals.

Finally, the Alternate Minister granted interviews to top Korean Mass Media Outlets, as part of her goal to promote Greece as a top tourism destinations.


(unofficial translation from gnto.gov.gr)