The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has enthusiastically welcomed the announcement by Greece’s ministry of tourism regarding the immediate establishment of an office of the Greek Tourism Organisation (EOT) at the Greek Centre in Melbourne.
EOT recently announced the recruitment for the Head of the Melbourne office, with jurisdiction extending to Australia, New Zealand, and other Oceania nations.
This development follows nine years of advocacy by the GCM, engaging with the Greek government and relevant ministries for the establishment of an EOT office in Melbourne.
GCM president Bill Papastergiadis expressed his delight, highlighting the initiative’s significance in strengthening ties between Greece, Australia, and the Greek diaspora.
“We warmly welcome this move, which will not only strengthen Greek Australian relations but also promote the cultural and tourist image of our homeland,” Papastergiadis said.
Papastergiadis continued, stating: “The EOT office in Melbourne will serve as a focal point for promoting Greek tourism and history, preserving Greek cultural heritage through conferences, lectures, and exhibitions, enhancing communication and collaboration with the Greek diaspora.
“We have committed to providing the necessary space in the building of the Greek Centre for hosting the EOT offices, offering two years of free use of the facilities, without financial burden, as a return for the government’s support to our community during the economic crisis. Additionally, we maintain open channels of communication with Greek bodies and actively cooperate to facilitate the relevant actions.”
In response to Papastergiadis’ statement, enjonews.gr contacted the ministry of tourism and was informed that the process is progressing rapidly, with an indication of urgency to bypass any time-consuming procedures.
“The aim is to staff the EOT office in Melbourne immediately as requested by the GCM so that its operations can commence as soon as possible, which is very important ahead of the tourist season,” the ministry of tourism stated to journalist Manos Stavrianos.
The invitation for the expression of interest for the position of Head of the EOT office in Australia has already been published on the official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation.
