From Indian shaadis to women travelling solo and wine and gourmet vacations— Visit Greece aims to revitalise its India tourism connects

Cover pic: Olga Kefalogianni (L), Minister of Tourism for Greece, and Aliki Koutsomitopoulou (R), Ambassador of Greece to India presented with second issue of TFTA

By Taniya Sahni

Last year marked 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Greece, and this year, with IndiGo just launching direct flights between Delhi and Mumbai and Athens (and Aegean Air planning more later this year, with a luxurious Business Class), India-Greece connections are firmly centrestage. In an exclusive interview, Greece’s Minister of Tourism Ms Olga Kefalogianni spoke to TFTA with details about the country’s new tourism vision and what it promises not just for Indian HNI travellers — but also for investors in the hospitality space (global uber luxury resorts and hotels have come up in Greece, in recent past).

Some of the key takeaways include plans to elevate gastronomic travel as a distinct experience, a soon-to-be redesigned visitgreece.gr platform that will use AI to curate personalised itineraries and connect travellers to immersive travel including in the Athens riviera, through the timeless lanes of Rhodes, the earthier rhythms of Crete and the Peloponnese as well as promote wine tourism to discover the likes of Nemea’s Agiorgitiko, northern Greece’s Xinomavro, and Santorini’s Assyrtiko and Vinsanto, as well as spotlighting Greece as a safe destination for women to travel too. With all these categories redefining traditional travel, visitors from India (around 80,000 last year) are going to not just go up, but be able to experience Greece’s unique culture, landscape and gastronomy in exclusive and authentic ways.  Read full interview below:

TFTA: With the new Indigo flights, how do you hope these will enhance tourism for both countries?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: We believe that the launch of the first-ever direct air connection between Greece and India, through IndiGo, connecting Athens with New Delhi and Mumbai, is a game-changer in the bilateral relations. Direct connectivity has proven to significantly increase the number of visitors. This is why, from our side, we are looking forward to welcoming more Indian visitors to Greece. We also see this direct connection as an opportunity for more Greeks to visit India. We believe that despite our geographical distance, there are many similarities and, of course, many differences, which is part of what makes it so interesting and exciting for travellers.

TFTA: Is luxury tourism a growing segment that Greece looks to attract from India? Which regions are most suitable for HNI Indian travellers?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: We have focused heavily on attracting investment in the high-end hospitality sector. Over the past ten years, the number of five-star hotels in Greece has doubled, with renowned international brands such as Aman, Four Seasons, One&Only, and Mandarin Oriental operating resorts and hotels across the country. We are also keen to attract investment from Indian companies.

For luxury travellers, the Athens Riviera, the coastline of Athens, is a prime destination. Other top spots include the Peloponnese, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Halkidiki, and of course, the iconic islands of Santorini and Mykonos.

At the same time, Greece offers many lesser-known destinations with high-end, smaller-scale resorts and hotels. Some of these are housed in buildings with architectural character, carefully transformed into boutique, bespoke properties that blend history and design. This is another layer of Greece’s luxury offering, curated specifically for the discerning traveller.

TFTA: Gastronomy and Greek wines may be very attractive to Indian HNI travellers. What tips or recommendations would you have for them? Are there any experiences that are offbeat that are planned or recommended?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Athens has firmly established itself as a gastronomic capital. The city features prominently in the internationally acclaimed Michelin Guide, which has awarded stars and highlighted several top restaurants. This collaboration has now expanded to Thessaloniki, as well as the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, making world-class dining accessible across Greece.

Yet, Greece’s culinary appeal extends far beyond fine dining. Even in the smallest villages, travellers can find local restaurants serving fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering flavours that are both authentic and wholesome. Vegetarian options are plentiful, and along the coastline or on the islands, fresh fish and seafood take the centerstage.

Gastronomic travel is being promoted a distinct experience, equally complementing a broader itinerary or standing alone as a reason to explore. To support this, the Ministry of Tourism and the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation) are developing a dedicated digital platform for gastronomic tourism, designed to guide travellers seamlessly through Greece’s culinary landscape. The initiative is part of a broader digital upgrade. The main platform, visitgreece.gr, similar in scope to Incredible India, is being redesigned with artificial intelligence to offer highly personalized itineraries tailored to individual preferences. It will also connect to four additional specialized platforms highlighting wellness, yachting and diving, mountain tourism, and of course, gastronomy, making it easier than ever for travellers to plan a journey that aligns perfectly with their passions.

TFTA: How important is the Indian market to Greece? Where does India stand in terms of arrivals?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Currently, visitor numbers from India are quite modest. Many Indian travellers enter Europe on a Schengen visa, and if Greece is not their first point of entry, they are not recorded as visitors from India. Last year, Greece processed around 50,000 to 60,000 visa applications from Indian travellers. Including those who already held a Schengen visa, the actual number of Indian arrivals is likely closer to 80,000 per year.

TFTA: What are the major focus areas for tourism in Greece this year? Is there an attempt to reposition the country away from the popular island-hopping image?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Greece is being promoted as a year-round destination, beyond its famous islands and coastlines. From the rugged mountains and serene nature trails to vibrant cities, MICE travel, and luxury weddings, the country offers diverse experiences for every traveller. There is also growing interest in women travelling in groups, and Greece is recognized as a very safe destination for solo and group female travellers.

Both India and Greece share long, rich histories and vast cultural landscapes. In Greece, cultural experiences are everywhere, just as they are in India. For the best experience, we recommend visiting outside the peak season, walking up to the Acropolis, exploring Delphi, or touring ancient Olympia is far more enjoyable when the summer crowds have thinned.

TFTA: With such a rich and layered history, how is Greece strengthening and promoting its cultural tourism offering?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Last year, we celebrated seventy-five years of diplomatic relations with India through the “Connecting Cultures” program. Highlights included the Ghika exhibition in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, a sculpture exhibition, and a poetry night. Beyond ancient history, we are also keen to showcase contemporary Greek culture, offering Indian travellers a fresh perspective on the country’s vibrant modern art scene as many Indians are familiar with ancient Greece but not contemporary Greek art.

TFTA: Is overtourism a concern? How is Greece pivoting to encourage slow and meaningful discoveries and immersion?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Yes, which is why our strategy focuses on qualitative rather than quantitative growth. We aim for a balanced approach that takes into account environmental protection, cultural heritage, and the wellbeing of local communities.

Measures include cruise passenger quotas in Santorini and sustainability classifications for hotels, based on energy use, water management, and waste reduction.

Tourism contributes more than twenty percent of Greece’s GDP and supports local communities, women, and young entrepreneurs. Maintaining this balance is key, ensuring that what makes Greece attractive today remains preserved for future generations.

TFTA: How are you integrating sustainability into luxury tourism?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: Legislation for tourism investment is stringent. Spatial planning laws ensure that investments do not put pressure on the environment and are directed toward areas that need development.

TFTA: Indian luxury travellers often arrive with postcard-style expectations shaped by social media and cinema. How do you balance this with deeper narratives?

Ms. Olga Kefalogianni: From customer satisfaction reports, we see that Greece consistently meets traveller expectations across budgets. We focus heavily on improving service quality and infrastructure, both public and private, to meet rising demand while maintaining authenticity.