Greek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dimitrios Tsungas gave an exclusive interview to Eurasia Dairy during the event called "Tourism as a bridge between Greece and Azerbaijan" held in Baku. The main purpose of the event was to present the tourism potential of Greece and opportunities for  cooperation in the field of tourism between Greece and Azerbaijan.

Eurasia Diary: Mr Dimitrios what is the role of tourism in development of relations between Azerbaijan and Greece?

Dimitrios Tsungas: As you know Greece is one of the most important touristic destinations worldwide. This is because tourism in our country has been developing for a long time. We began to develop all forms of tourism since 1930. Greece is a highly developed country in terms of tourist business and we are ready to share experience with Azerbaijan, which is now actively engaged in the development of its tourism.

Tourism is based on three main principles: nature, infrastructure and services. Azerbaijan has an amazing natural beauty, the country is on the right track in creating a good infrastructure, but there is still, work to do in terms of training: the ability to speak foreign languages, training for waitress and receptionists and etc. Our countries have something to share with each other to mutually further improve its tourism business.

Eurasia Dairy: What specific projects are planned for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Greece in the field of tourism ?

Dimitrios Tsungas: I think we have such kind of cooperation and every year, international tourism exhibition held in Baku. Two years ago we were there represented a great pavilion dedicated to the Greek National Tourism. Unfortunately, in 2015 and 2016 Greece did not participate in the exhibition, but I hope that this year my country will participate as well. That will give us opportunity to have bilateral contacts between tour operators in Greece and Azerbaijan. This is the target of today's event as well. We have invited today to tour operators, to conduct a presentation for them in our country, and to find ways of cooperation in this area.

Eurasia Dairy: Greece is in search of new tourism partners, including Azerbaijan. Does this mean that Greece plans to overcome the economic crisis through tourism?

Dimitrios Tsungas: Not overcome, but it really helps to soften the economic crisis a lot. Tourism is the most important part of Greece and also most developed areas in the country. Tourism covers 18 percent of our GDP. Thus, this is a very important part of ​​the economy. We are not only talking about that right now we are also looking for new partner for the conduct of tourism business we have worked hard over past decades. You know development of tourism in Greece begins not now because it dates back.

Interview by Natalia Guliyeva

Photos by Gurban Bakirzadeh