Athens plans to attract film enthusiasts and boost tourism

It will become a destination for film-induced tourism

On 14 June, the Municipality of Athens signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism to promote the Greek capital as a film destination. With this memorandum, the two parties have outlined a series of joint actions which will be implemented alongside the Athens Film Office (AFO) with the aim of strengthening film-induced tourism.

Since the AFO was established in March 2020, it has attracted over 40 audio-visual productions. More importantly, it has stimulated the Athenian economy by amassing a large amount of capital. Commenting on this, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis shared: “The Athens Film Office has become the channel of communication of the city with international productions and opened another way of promotion and economic stimulation of the market, in a very difficult period.”

Transforming Athens into a film destination

With the memorandum of cooperation, the Municipality of Athens and the Ministry of Tourism have agreed to work towards the development of the capital as a film destination. To achieve this, special focus will be placed on educational programmes aimed at audio-visual professionals as well as the promotion of trips that allow producers and international film studios to familiarise themselves with the city. In this way, the capital hopes to showcase its qualities and attract international producers.

Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis discussed the benefits of the new agreement, noting: “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 realisation of the great vision for the promotion of Athens and, through it, of the whole of Greece, in a modern and effective way.”

The capital’s presence in major international film productions is expected to strengthen its competitive position as a tourist destination. What is more, it will boost the domestic film industry and result in significant economic growth.