At the Seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Olga Kefalogianni, was received by His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Minister expressed her deep appreciation, as well as that of the Hellenic State, for the spiritual and cultural contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, emphasizing its timeless role in promoting dialogue, peace and intercultural understanding.
The Minister discussed with His All-Holiness issues concerning the promotion of religious and pilgrimage tourism in Greece, as well as opportunities for cooperation in highlighting monuments, routes and sites of particular spiritual and historical significance internationally.
Mrs Kefalogianni also referred to the Ministry of Tourism’s intention to strengthen initiatives related to the promotion of Orthodox religious and cultural heritage, as part of the national strategy for the sustainable and high-quality development of Greek tourism.
The Minister was accompanied by the President of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Mrs Angeliki Varela, and the Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras.
