Greece, Israel Join to Promote Tourism

Greece said Friday that it will launch a joint advertising campaign with Israel in the United States in an attempt to attract American tourists deterred by fears for their safety from visiting the two countries.

Greek government spokesman Antonis Kourtis told reporters the decision was made during talks in Tel Aviv this week between Greek Economy Undersecretary Panayotis Roumeliotis and Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Sharir.

Tourist sources said Greece lost about $350 million last year when American tourists stayed away because of security fears following two hijackings out of Athens and tension in the Mediterranean.

Kourtis said Greece and Israel also agreed to promote tourism on a regional level.

The joint advertising campaign agreement was a sign of improving relations between Greece and Israel, diplomats said. The two countries have de facto relations but Greece does not accord full diplomatic recognition to Israel because of Greece’s policy of calling for restoration of occupied Arab territory.