With the aim of developing film tourism in Athens, the Minister of Tourism Mr. Haris Theocharis and the Mayor of Athens Mr. Costas Bakogiannis signed today a memorandum of cooperation, inaugurating a series of joint actions, within the Athens Film Office of the Municipality of Athens.
In the last year, Athens has been actively included in the world map of audiovisual producers through the Athens Film Office. Since its operation (March 2020) it has attracted more than 40 audiovisual productions, facilitating their shooting in the center and the districts of the capital.
These are medium and large productions, in many of which big names of the international cinema have starred, with the interest for Athens constantly increasing. Already, for the current year, the city has seen investments of about 60 million euros from film productions, a large part of which is expected to strengthen the domestic film industry. The signing of the memorandum aims to promote the capital abroad and attract tourism through international audiovisual producers.
The joint actions agreed between the Ministry of Tourism and the Athens Film Office of the Municipality of Athens focus mainly on educational programs aimed at audiovisual professionals and “cultivate” Athens as a film destination, as well as on a series of familiarization trips with guest foreign producers and representatives of international film studios in order to make the advantages of the destination known.
The Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theocharis, in a statement emphasizes: “With the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Athens, we strengthen and consolidate, on a solid institutional basis, the framework of action of the Athens Film Office. Together with the Municipality of Athens, we proceed to the realization of the great vision for the promotion of Athens and, through it, of the whole of Greece, in a modern and effective way. The presence of the city in major international film productions ceases to be an opportunity that was never exploited and an eternal cherished desire. “Athens and Greece are now taking on the role of protagonist in the film industry, the role they really deserve.”
On his part, the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Costas Bakogiannis, pointed out: “The Athens Film Office, within a year, has proven that it can expand the cultural and tourist capital, not only of Athens but also of the country. It became the channel of communication of the city with international productions and opened another way of promotion and economic stimulation of the market, during a very difficult period. Its operation belongs to the strategy of the Municipality of Athens, which wants development to come from initiatives that start through the city, for the city. In this context, synergies such as the one we formalized today, strengthen the efforts of each side but also bring us closer to the common goal. ”
The memorandum was co-signed by the Development and Tourism Promotion Company of the Municipality of Athens (EATA), as the implementing body of the Athens Film Office. The president of EATA, Mrs. Melina Daskalaki stressed: “The Service Office of Film Producers of Athens proves every day that it is one of the most powerful “tools” we have for the tourist promotion of the city abroad. After attracting major international producers, whose shootings have stimulated the Athenian economy with hundreds of thousands of euros, the development of film tourism – which is the next stage – we expect to raise Athens even higher among the competitive destinations of Europe”.
Latest News
Developing the Blue Carbon Economy in Greece
Can Greece make money by protecting its marine environment?
EIB Appoints Greece’s Ioannis Tsakiris as New VP
Ioannis Tsakiris started the new role May 1 after spending 15 years at the European Investment Fund (EIF) and serving as Greece’s Deputy Minister for Development and Investments
Two Greek Beaches in Top 50 in the World
Both Greek beaches were on the list of the best beaches in Europe too
Eurostat: Greece 20th out of 26 European States in Hourly Average Wage
According to figures released by Eurostat, the Benelux Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of Europe’s hubs for finance, is in first place
Greek Property Renovation Surge amid Economic Constraints
This has led to a notable escalation in renovation costs, with average prices per square meter exceeding previous norms and reaching even 1,000 euros in premium locations
RRF: Additional €5.1bln Funds for Subsidies to Greece in 2025
By April 22, funds totaling 5.75 billion euros had been transferred for approved projects of the Recovery Fund to entities within and outside the general government and final recipients
OECD: Greek Economy Resilient with 2% Growth Forecast for 2024
However, the OECD highlights challenges including the need to enhance productivity and fiscal adjustment due to high debt levels.
Challenges and Delays in Greece’s Hydrocarbon Exploration
Sources disclose that the petroleum companies holding the concessions are seeking partners to jointly invest and share the costs of exploration and drilling.
Greek Beach Visitors Can Report Violations on New ‘MyCoast’ App
Greek authorities hope the newly-launched, free ‘MyCoast’ app will help clamp down on public beach violations
BoG Figures Confirm Banner Year for Greek Tourism in 2023
20.6 billion euros in related revenues topped the previous year’s figure by 16.5%