A framework of actions aimed at further promoting and strengthening the relationship between Mykonos and Brazil was discussed during the meeting between the new Brazilian Ambassador in the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Roberto Abdala, the Deputy Regional Governor of Culture of the South Aegean Region, Mr. Stelios Briggos, and the Ambassador Mykonos Promo, Mr. Constantinos Skagias.
The new Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil in the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Roberto Abdala, visited Mykonos from 14th to 16th of June, 2023, upon the invitation of Deputy Regional Governor Mr. Briggos. He was guided through Delos and visited cultural heritage sites on the island of Mykonos. Expressing his enthusiasm for the island and its hospitality, the Ambassador proposed the production of a cultural documentary that would be broadcasted on a tv channel specializing in promoting culture in Brazil, with also extensive coverage in Brazilian magazines.
Furthermore, during the meeting, the possibility of cooperation in promoting Mykonos in Brazil was discussed, as well as the potential for strengthening relations with tour operators in Brazil and the participation of the South Aegean Region in the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) of Latin America, which will take place in São Paulo in April 2024.
Regarding the visit, Mr. Stelios Briggos, Deputy Regional Governor of Culture of the South Aegean Region, stated: “The visit of the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil in the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Abdala, to Mykonos took place within the framework of further cultivating good relations between Brazil and the islands of the South Aegean. We were particularly pleased that the Ambassador was impressed with the hospitality and the region. During our meeting, we discussed the longstanding relations between Greece and Brazil, as well as the particularly friendly relations between Mykonos and the Latin American country, and explored further actions to enhance our presence in the Brazilian market. We are in contact to implement what we have discussed.”
Mr. Briggos also mentioned that Brazil is an emerging tourism market for Mykonos, with visitor numbers showing a slight increase in 2022 compared to 2019, which marked the highest increase in Brazilian visitors to the island. He emphasized that Brazil was the “only market that was closed for two consecutive years due to the pandemic COVID-19. Since its reopening in 2022, there has been noticeable demand from Brazilians for the islands of Mykonos.”
It is worth mentioning that the opening of the South Aegean Region to the outbound Brazilian tourism market began dynamically in 2018 with the organization of the first tourism workshop titled “Mykonos Approach” in collaboration with the Embassy of Greece in Brazil and the Federation of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of Santa Catarina. In the workshop, which was held with the participation of more than 20 tour operators and stakeholders from Brazil, the Mykonos – Santorini – Aegean Islands Promo team, led by Ambassador Mykonos Promo, Mr. Skagias, was present. They provided information about the islands of the South Aegean, emphasizing their traditions, gastronomy, history, and the luxury services available in each destination. Subsequently, in April 2019, the twinning of the South Aegean Region with Santa Catarina, Brazil, took place, and initiatives for cooperation in culture and tourism between the two regions were launched.
