Greece and the GNTO’s new 2026 strategic plan for promoting the country internationally as a safe, high-quality, sustainable and multi-thematic year-round holiday destination were successfully presented in the United States by GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos, who is visiting New York.
Between 3–4 December 2025, the Secretary General held a series of meetings and engagements with representatives of the Greek-American community, diaspora media, international luxury tourism networks and major American media outlets. The aim was to further strengthen the Greek tourism product in the U.S. market, deepen high-value partnerships and highlight Greece in high-value markets as a destination for thematic tourism and sustainable development.
Meeting with the President of the Hellenic American Society, Eftychia Pylarinou
On Wednesday, December 3, Mr. Fiorentinos met with the President of the Hellenic American Society, Eftychia Pylarinou (photo), where it was agreed to enhance communication channels between the GNTO and the organized diaspora. They discussed ways of promoting and disseminating information to the Greek-American community — particularly to high-level and influential social groups (doctors, lawyers, bankers, entrepreneurs, etc.) — in order to strengthen Greece’s visibility and provide substantial updates on both the tourism product and investment opportunities in the country. The discussion also focused on the need to connect tourism promotion with the image of a country that is evolving, investing and developing with a clear plan.
New Dallas–Athens flight (American Airlines)
That same day, a press conference was held with Greek-American media to present the 2026 tourism strategy, followed by a luncheon attended by the entire diaspora press.
Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos, together with:
• the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ifigeneia Kanara
• the Head of GNTO America, Konstantinos Harokopos
• the Head of the Press Office of the Consulate General, Mary Vaxevanidou
presented in detail the pillars of the strategic plan for Greek tourism in 2026, emphasizing the GNTO’s overall effort to further enhance air connectivity between the U.S. and Greece, in light of the new American Airlines flight from Dallas to Athens.
At the same time, he highlighted key priorities of tourism policy such as:
• Extending the tourism season through “12-month” products, with emphasis on city breaks, culture, gastronomy, wellness and inland experiences.
• Upgrading competitiveness and implementing targeted actions in high-value markets to attract visitors with higher expectations.
• Sustainable development as a “resilient” tourism product and strategic advantage, through protecting natural and cultural assets, responsible resource management, and supporting local communities. The aim is to distribute tourism flows across all of Greece for balanced, long-term and high-quality development.
• Strengthening investment interest in tourism, focusing on investments that promote quality, sustainability and product diversification.
Answering numerous questions, Mr. Fiorentinos underscored, among other points, Greece’s image of safety and stability, which boosts market confidence and creates conditions for further growth.
Meeting with VIRTUOSO – Actions for the premium/luxury audience
Mr. Fiorentinos met with Miguelina Cespedes (Senior Manager) and Brad Bourland (COO) of the VIRTUOSO network (photo).
They discussed the results of the recent successful GNTO–VIRTUOSO campaign, the need for targeted collaborative actions to promote luxury destinations, and research findings from the network that will be used to shape strategy against competitors and to better reach the high-demand U.S. audience.
Live interview on radio 77 WABC
On Thursday, December 4, Mr. Fiorentinos participated in a live radio interview on “Sid and Friends in the Morning” on 77 WABC, hosted by Sidney Rosenberg.
During the discussion, the Secretary General presented:
• key results of inbound tourism for 2025 and the factors that shaped them
• trends and projections for 2026, with emphasis on demand for authentic experiences and high-quality services
• the geopolitical upgrading of Greece and its role as a destination of safety and stability
• and how this reliability positively affects season extension and the attraction of travelers looking for destinations defined by consistency and quality.
Targeted meetings
The Secretary General also met:
• with Yanna Darilis, PhD (NGTV – ERT WORLD), to explore synergies for promoting Greece to U.S. audiences and the diaspora through modern content formats (television/digital/podcasts)
• with John A. Catsimatidis (Red Apple Group). Due to his origin from Nisyros, there was extensive discussion about the UNESCO Geo Park as a characteristic example of a resource that strengthens destination identity, contributes to international promotion, and supports a model of sustainable tourism development with environmental and developmental responsibility. Views were also exchanged on investment approaches in the wider region
• with Greg Angelidis, focusing on Sports Tourism and expanding this market from the U.S. through events, thematic experiences and programs that increase off-peak visitation
• with author Jeffrey Singer (“Murder on Mykonos” and other works related to Hellenism), exchanging views on the role of culture and storytelling in the international appeal of Greek destinations.
The U.S. as a strategic market for Greece
The Secretary General’s meetings in New York confirmed that the American market remains of strategic importance for Greece and that the 2026 plan is being strengthened with complementary pillars (quality, market expansion/season extension and sustainable development), as Greece continues to consolidate its position internationally with resilience and long-term value.
At the same time, the GNTO’s priority to enhance U.S.–Greece connectivity through new destinations and new air routes — such as the new Dallas–Athens flight by American Airlines — was underlined.
A key element remains sustainable development as a resilient tourism product, aiming for the distribution of tourism flows across all of Greece, so the country can continue strengthening its international position with resilience, balance and long-term value.
