Meeting with a senior Chinese delegation in Athens focuses on strengthening business ties, promoting Heilongjiang as a destination and student exchanges

Prospects for strengthening tourism cooperation between Greece and China – with a focus on promoting destinations, developing business contacts and fostering educational exchanges – were at the center of the meeting held at the FedHATTA offices in Athens recently with a senior delegation from China’s Heilongjiang Province.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Heilongjiang Foreign Affairs Office and the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The Chinese delegation included Wang Xiaosong, Deputy Director-General and Executive Vice President; Cai Xinran, Director of the General Office; and Li Qi, interpreter. Li Ang, Executive President of the Chinese Commercial and Cultural Association of Greece, also attended.

The discussions explored ways to build closer ties between tourism businesses in the two countries, with a view to further supporting tourist flows and creating new opportunities for cooperation.

Located in northeastern China, Heilongjiang Province has significant economic potential and a wealth of tourism attractions, including historical and cultural sites that could appeal to Greek travelers. In this context, the participants discussed promoting Heilongjiang through FedHATTA’s online information channels, to help Greek travel agencies become more familiar with the destination and consider including it in organized tour programs.

Cooperation in education

Attention also turned to prospects for cooperation in education, given the presence of a major university in Heilongjiang Province, known, among other things, for its programs in aeronautics and space technology. In this context, FedHATTA President Lysandros Tsilidis proposed exploring opportunities for educational exchanges, giving Greek students the chance to visit the university, learn about its scientific and academic activities, and experience the region itself as a travel destination.

Following the meeting with the Chinese delegation, Mr. Tsilidis said: “We consider it important to look outward and develop partnerships with high-potential markets such as China, seeking to broaden business opportunities for Greek travel agencies and strengthen two-way tourism exchanges. We see potential and find solutions through dialogue.” During its visit to Greece, the Chinese delegation made official visits exclusively to FedHATTA and the Chinese Commercial and Cultural Association of Greece. This underscores its interest in developing partnerships with the Greek tourism market and strengthening bilateral business ties.