Greece enhances religious tourism through partnership with Orthodox Church

24-06-24

The Greek Tourism Ministry has announced a strategic partnership with the Greek Orthodox Church to bolster religious and pilgrimage tourism.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni signed a cooperation protocol with church representatives during the 2nd Joint Pilgrimage Tourism Coordination Committee meeting in Athens. The initiative aims to enrich the tourism experience by highlighting Greece's religious monuments and sites, thereby promoting the nation's heritage and culture.

Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti, who chaired the meeting, underscored the collaboration's goal to enhance the tourism sector. Representatives from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Greece, the Church of Crete, the Administration of Mount Athos, the ministries of culture and tourism, and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) were present.

“The new agreement is part of the ministry’s strategy to enrich the tourism experience and effectively promote Greek heritage, culture, and history,” stated Kefalogianni. She emphasized the potential for Greece's 13 regions to develop year-round religious tourism products, benefiting the national economy and local communities.

The protocol includes various initiatives such as protecting and promoting religious monuments, creating promotional material, and establishing an archive of significant pilgrimage sites. Plans also involve media promotions and updates on official websites to attract faith-based tourism.