Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] We aim at boosting Greek-Egyptian relations, Egyptian Tourism Minister tells ANA-MPA

[02] Alternate Tourism Min Kountoura: 2016 will be a positive year for Greek tourism

[01] We aim at boosting Greek-Egyptian relations, Egyptian Tourism Minister tells ANA-MPA

"Promoting the friendship is something natural for us because our peoples have many things in common; habits, traditions, even food," he underlined.

The Egyptian Minister thanked Greece for its support to the recent Egyptian Airlines plane tragedy.

Zazou added that Greece understands very much, more than anybody else, the Egyptian history and the values, treasures and the antiquities of Egypt. "We want to give the Greek nation the privilege to enjoy and benefit from them," he stated.

He also stressed that Egypt looks forward to improving the commercial and tourism relations between the two nations.

[02] Alternate Tourism Min Kountoura: 2016 will be a positive year for Greek tourism

Kountoura underlined that 2016 kicked off well as arrivals and revenues rose in the first quarter. "Since the first quarter went well, the second one will be even better," she noted adding that for the first time both the private and public sector support the Greek tourist product.

"Tourism is a national issue," the minister stressed. "It is our aim to support Greek tourism all together and it is very important not to hurt it," she added.

Referring to the factors that will influence the performance of tourism this year, she cited the geopolitical turmoil, but estimated that problems have started to ease and last minute reservations are on the rise.

The ministry's main aim is the extension of the tourist season, she said adding that the efforts have already delivered results. "Last year we managed to have excellent results due to hard work despite the difficult conditions. Tourist arrivals rose to 26 million in 2015 compared to 22 million euros in 2014. This was a very pleasant development," Kountoura said.

The minister also expressed her content over Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' announcement to double advertising spending in the tourism sector. As she said, "the prime minister shows in practice the importance the government places on tourism."

Greece's image is significant and there has been no progress in that sector over the last years as a result of the difficult economic conditions. However, after the conclusion of the Greek program review, the image of the country has improved and this will also be reflected on tourism, Kountoura noted.

"It is very important to do our best to promote Greece abroad. This will also include a national strategy to strengthen the country's image. The image of Greece that opens its wings and gives hope," Kountoura underlined.

On the Athens-Macedonian News Agency's initiative to launch a tourism website, Kountoura said that Greek tourism will have another voice to express reality.

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