A highly productive visit, featuring important meetings and opportunities for Greek tourism, was carried out by the Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Andreas Fiorentinos, in New York from December 2 to 9, 2025.
The General Secretary of the Hellenic National Tourism Organization, A. Fiorentinos, with the Deputy Governor of the State of California, Heleni Kounalakis.
During his visit to the American metropolis, Mr. Fiorentinos had a working lunch with the Greek Consul General, Iphigenia Kanara, met at the offices of the GNTO North America with the President of the Hellenic American Society, Eutychia Pylarinou-Piper, participated in a luncheon with Greek-American media at the restaurant Kellari, and gave an interview on Sid Rosenbergs show Sid and Friends in the Morning on radio station 77 WABC.
With the Consul General of Greece, I. Kanara.
He also met with Greek-American businessman John Catsimatidis, where discussions focused on the inclusion of Nisyros in the UNESCO Geoparks, Greek-American relations, and particularly the importance of the Greek diaspora as a major influence for Greece.
At the Consular Residence, with the support of GNTO, Mayor Stelios Valianos of the Municipality of Aristotelis, along with his delegation, informed the North American audience about initiatives to promote their tourism offerings.
From the meeting with the Greek-American businessman, T. Katsimatidis.
Key meetings were also held with executives from Virtuoso Travel and the CEO of Emirates North America, two highly influential players in the international tourism market, confirming Greeces appeal as a destination. Another major achievement highlighted was the new direct Dallas-Athens flight, which will further enhance connectivity with the U.S. market and open prospects for future links between the U.S. West Coast and Greece.
With the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameus.
With the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis.
From the meeting of Mr. Fiorentinos with the President of the Hellenic American Society, Evt. Pylarinou.
Mr. Fiorentinos also met with representatives of the Northstar Travel Group to learn about the progress of the travel agent training program (chapter course), implemented by the company for GNTO, aiming to familiarize agents with Greece and promote it more effectively as a destination.
On Sunday, December 7, he attended the proceedings of Rebrain Greece with representatives from 35 groups, during which the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Niki Kerameus, highlighted the opportunities for those wishing to contribute to the countrys development.
With Sid Rosenberg on the radio station 77 WABC.
Mr. A. Fiorentinos attended the Rebrain Greece proceedings.
GNTO was also a sponsor of this years Capital Link Forum on the countrys business future, where the GNTO Secretary General participated in a panel on the future of tourism in relation to new technologies. As he emphasized, GNTO is moving forward with a focus on leveraging AI and digitalization to become a modern destination management organization, always guided by the model of sustainable development.
The overall conclusion from Mr. Fiorentinos visit to New York is that Greece has today gained the trust of the international market, and with the support of the Greek diaspora, continues to build bridges and steadily strengthen its position.
