Greek-Russian Tourism Forum Wednesday at Lagonissi

Organized by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism Rostourism, the forum will aim to establish a strong connection between the two countries in order to increase mutual tourist flow.

The theme of the forum is “Russia and Greece: reality and prospects for cooperation in the tourism sector” and welcome speeches will be given by Economy, Development & Tourism Minister Giorgos Stathakis, Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and the head of Rostourism, Oleg Safonov.

From the Russian side, the forum will see the attendance of over 100 government representatives, regional tourism figures, leading tour operators and journalists.

During the forum, the vice president of the Russian Union Of Travel Industry, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Barzykin, will focus on the development of a Greece-Russia cooperation to boost the exchange of tourists between the two countries.

The list of Russian speakers includes the general director of Mouzenidis Travel Russia, Alexander Tsandekidi; the Minister of Culture of Moscow Region, Oxana Kosareva; and the CEO and managing director of Tez Tour Hellas, Dimitris Charitidis.

Visa issue to be discussed

According to the forum’s program, during the first session of the event, the Greek alternative minister of foreign affairs, Nikos Xydakis, will refer to the visa process for Russian travellers interested in visiting Greece. The forum will also feature a session on religious/pilgrimage tourism.

The list of speakers from the Greek side includes the secretary general of the GNTO, Dimitris Tryfonopoulos; the secretary general for tourism policy and development, George Tziallas, the president of the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (FEDHATTA), Lysandros Tsilidis, the president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Yiorgos Tsakiris; the president of the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association (EPEST), Antonis Stelliatos, Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis, Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, representatives from regions and tourism professionals that specialize in the Russian travel market.

During the forum, B2B meetings aimed at securing business deals and partnerships between Greek and Russian tourism enterprises will take place.

The forum will take place at the Grand Resort Lagonissi.