BERLIN — Greece is one of the best prepared tourist destinations, with a clear message and plan, and looks forward with optimism and confidence to the upcoming opening of tourism from May 14, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said in Berlin, where he concluded a two-day working visit on Wednesday.

After his meetings with the German Deputy Minister of Economy in charge of Tourism Thomas Barais, as well as top executives of the TUI Tourist Group and the leadership of the German Travel Association (DRV), Theoharis spoke with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), referring mainly to the effort to present Greece's health and hygiene rules and the government's plan for safe holidays. "Greece is one of the best prepared countries and, most importantly, has a clear message, which it explains clearly. Our system has a beginning, a middle and an end, it is professional, mature and balanced between openness and security," the minister pointed out.

The safety protocols that will apply, in combination with the new tools, such vaccines and rapid tests, that are now available but also the new medical knowledge, are powerful weapons in the country's arsenal, Theoharis said. Referring to the "Global Champion Award" for Covid-19 Crisis Management "received by our country for the management of tourism in pandemic conditions," he said it was "proof that the great effort made last year is recognised in the most official way."

Regarding the German market, in particular, Barais assured Theoharis that the federal government is seriously considering lifting the mandatory quarantine for vaccinated German tourists returning from Greece.

"The prospect of easing the conditions for German tourists returning to their country is expected to significantly facilitate their decision to travel to Greece," the minister said, giving assurances that Greece, on its part, will be ready to provide its citizens with a "green" vaccination certificate as early as June 1.

After Berlin, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis will pay an official visit to Poland – the first by a Greek Minister of Tourism, as emphasised in a relevant announcement.

On Thursday, Theoharis will have a series of meetings with representatives of the most important tourism organisations in the country, while he will also give a series of interviews to Polish media.

On Friday, he will have a working meeting with the Deputy Minister of Economy and Development, responsible for Tourism, AndrzejGut-Mostowy, at which they will discuss issues relating to the further development of tourism from Poland. More than 1 million Polish tourists visit Greece every year, with Poland ranking 5th among the countries of origin of visitors.