- Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni met with top executives from Korean Air, Hanjin Tour, and Lotte Tour in Seoul.
- Both sides emphasized the potential of direct flights between South Korea and Greece.e
- Korean Air is considering expanding its seasonal routes to Europe, offering high-profile tourism packages.
- Greece is positioning itself as both an authentic experience and a gateway to European markets.
A Strategic Meeting in Seoul
On her second day in South Korea, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, joined by Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) president Angela Varella, held back-to-back meetings with leading figures in the Korean travel market.
Executives from Korean Air, including Vice Presidents Kwangho Ko and Seunghyeok Lee, as well as General Manager Hoon Jun, outlined the carrier’s expanding focus on Europe. The minister also met with Hanjin Tour’s chairman, Janghoon Lee, and vice president, Minsoo Kim, followed by discussions with Byung-in Lim, Lotte Tour’s director for Europe and the Americas.
Direct Link, Mutual Benefit
At the center of every meeting was one clear point: the time has come for a direct Seoul–Athens connection. Kefalogianni presented Greece’s strong growth trajectory in both arrivals and revenue, stressing the country’s ability to meet Korean demand not only with sun-and-sea offerings, but also with new sustainable tourism models.
“South Korea is a priority market for Greece,” she said, noting that direct connectivity is key to unlocking its full potential. Beyond Greek destinations, she positioned Athens as a natural gateway for Koreans seeking to access broader European markets.
Korean partners, in turn, signaled strong interest. Representatives highlighted their high-profile clientele and tailored 10-day travel packages, designed to maximize the benefits of seasonal flights in collaboration with Korean Air.
Building the Conditions
The Greek side committed to targeted campaigns promoting destinations beyond the obvious, ensuring that Korean travelers see Greece not as a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but as a repeatable, diverse experience. Kefalogianni assured her interlocutors that both the Ministry and GNTO would actively support demand creation to prepare the ground for direct air services.
The path to a Seoul–Athens flight may still be under negotiation, but the groundwork has been laid. With both sides aligned on the potential, what remains is to transform words into wings—and open a new corridor between the Aegean and East Asia.
