The prospects of cooperation between Greece and China in the tourist sector are “brilliant,” China’s ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli said at the “The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum,” which takes place in the Athens Concert Hall, underlining that there is prospect for a further increase in tourism flows between the two countries. He noted that a catalyst for the increase of tourism is the settlement of Visa and the strengthening of direct air links between the two countries. Addressing the political leadership of Greek tourism, Xiaoli proposed specific actions to increase Chinese tourist arrivals in Greece, which last year came to 100,000. He also termed the Chinese trend to get married in Greece as an excellent opportunity to attract tourists. The wedding tourism, said the Chinese ambassador, is flourishing and Greece with its islands, especially Santorini, attracts a lot of young couples. The Chinese Ambassador also referred to the market of elderly tourists. In China people over 60 years are estimated at 200 million. These people, as he pointed out, have read about the Greek civilization and would like to make a trip to the country. Finally, he added, Greece should move towards attracting student tourism, noting that China’s youth needs to visit the cradle of European civilization. At the same time he deemed necessary the joint promotional actions and participation of our country in international tourism fairs in China. On her part, the Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said that the aim of the political leadership of tourism is among others, that Greece becomes the Chinese first choice in Europe. In 2014, 100 million Chinese traveled abroad with per capita spending amounting to $3,000, the highest worldwide. (source: ana-mpa)