India and Greece to cooperate in tourism promotion

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) India and Greece today decided to establish a programme to exchange visits of tour operators, travel agents, hospitality organisation and travel media personnel to motivate the people in both countries to travel to the other country.

At the first session of the Indian-Greek Joint Commission on tourism held here, the importance of interaction between the private stakeholders of the two countries was stressed to develop better understanding of the tourism products in India and Greece.

It was agreed by both the sides to participate in tourism fairs, exhibitions held in each other's country to promote their destinations,tourism products.

While the Indian delegation was led by Additional Tourism Director General Sanjay Kothari, the Greek side was headed by Ms Esthir Vitali, Director General of Tourist Promotion of the Greek Ministry of Tourism.

Both sides informed each other about the investment opportunity available in their countries in the tourism sector. It was agreed that growing opportunities in tourism sector should be showcased to attract investments from the private stakeholders of the two countries.

It was agreed by both the sides to establish an exchange programme for students and faculties to enhance cooperation by developing partnership programmes between leading academic institutions and educational organisations as well as tourism schools in the tourism sector of both countries. The Greek side expressed its readiness to invite five students of Schools Tourism Professions from India to visit Greece during the summer of 2007 for a three month on the job training in selective, luxury and 'A' category Greek hotels.

Both sides expressed willingness to assist the NTO's and Tourism Boards of each other's country in carrying out promotion and marketing activities to increase the tourism traffic including beach, adventure and aqua tourism between the two countries.

UNI