As part of its tourist product expansion plan, Greece
announced this week, plans to develop military and war tourism.
The ministers of defense, culture, and tourism, Nikolaos
Panagiotopoulos, Lina Mendoni, and Harry Theoharis signed a memorandum of
cooperation (Moc), which predicts among others the promotion of important
military and war locations, museums, and monuments, and focuses on the essential
role of the army, navy, and air force throughout Greek history.
The three ministers agreed to nominate the Athens War Museum
as the body responsible for the coordination and administration of the Moc
terms and actions.
“Military tourism is growing at a spectacular pace
worldwide,” said minister Theoharis, adding that Greece “thanks to its long and
historical quest is dotted with monuments and locations of military and war
interest.”
“The promotion of the respective points throughout Greece
will be part of our effort to highlight new, modern, and special kinds of
tourism, to direct tourist traffic beyond the known destinations, as well as to
extend the tourist season,” he said.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos referred to the importance of safeguarding historic military monuments and making these “points of attraction for people who wish to visit the country and see historical sites, monumental battle points and innumerable points of Greek military interest.”
The minister went on to add that he hopes that with the
support of the culture and tourism ministries as well as with their teams,
Greece’s military legacy will be promoted through far-reaching initiatives,
actions and activities.
On her part, Mrs. Mendoni, Greece’s Minister of Culture,
referred to the growing global interest
of tourists to visit World War I and World War II locations, which she said
“Greece has plenty of, ” adding that the
developments of this special interest product for preserving a significant part
of Greek heritage.
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