By Dimitris Avramopoulos
The visit of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to China at
the end of this week is expected to confirm, at the highest level
possible, the excellent relations enjoyed by the two countries.
Their relations are based on their age-old traditions, their vast
contributions to world culture and their determination to respond
decisively and in a timely fashion to the challenges of the new
globalized reality.
Greece views developing relations with China as a priority in
its tourism strategy; this view considers tourism to be of
paramount importance in our developmental process, which has a
global spectrum but focuses on emerging tourism markets.
China has steadily raised barriers hampering the free movement
of citizens abroad, in the context of a gradually more liberal view
of its own economy. This has been imposed by the rules of the
globalized world as well as by China's participation in the WTO and
the need to prepare properly and hold successfully the next Olympic
Games in Beijing.
It is therefore reasonable for Greece to wish to develop its
tourism presence in China. The Olympic Games in Beijing offers
ideal conditions for the establishment of tourism diplomacy; this
complements in a harmonious way the exchange of know-how about the
Olympic Games, the development of cultural relations and the
broadening of commercial transactions. These topics are to be
discussed during the official visit of the Greek prime
minister.
During my first official visit to China as the minister of
tourism in April 2004, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed
between
Greece and China, creating the basis of an "Olympic Bridge" a
meeting point for the two civilizations.
Under these circumstances, a Greek tourism promotional campaign
started and Greece's presence at tourism exhibitions was
increased.
A Greek National Tourism Organization Office has been
established in Beijing and another office will open in Shanghai in
spring, in accordance with existing diplomatic practices. More
tourism offices will be established in other important Chinese
cities.
At the same time, on the Chinese side, there has been an
unprecedented level of visits to Greece, in terms of incoming
tourists and government representatives. This is exemplified by the
symbolic decision of the Chinese minister of tourism to announce,
during the course of the Olympic Games in Athens, the beginning of
a new communication campaign linking Chinese tourism with the Games
in Beijing.
Our mutual official visits and contact have been regular over
the last 20 months.
Co-operation in the tourism sector has also been extended to
investment.
But there are also obstacles in this process, such as delays in
the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens wanting to visit Greece
due to the procedures imposed by the Schengen Treaty, but also
because of a general protectionist mentality prevalent in
governmental authorities.
Another important factor is the lack of a direct flight between
Greece and China. Since we hope to attract many Chinese tourists,
whose numbers are expected to grow impressively over the next few
years, an air connection with China is not only necessary but also
a precondition of success.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism has foreseen the potential of the
Chinese market for the development of Greek tourism in the next
decade, exploiting to the uppermost degree the good atmosphere in
relations between the two countries over the last few years. The
results of this policy are obvious, considering the growth in terms
of the flow of tourists from China.
(China Daily January 20, 2006)
