Unlike your predecessors, you resumed your duties in the midst of perhaps the worst economic crisis Greece has ever faced. Moreover, due to the barrage of negative publicity internationally, the country’s image has been seriously wounded. How are you dealing with all this?
We have launched a campaign in all big tourist markets in order to reverse the negative atmosphere that some people created against our country. Through meetings and interviews, we are trying to convince all prospective tourists that Greece remains a sage destination. A few sporadic episodes were presented to be a generalized crisis by a portion of the Press, but this does not hold true. In parallel, we are organizing trips for foreign journalists to our country in order to help them realize by themselves that Greece is really safe. In this effort we need the support of the Greek diaspora, which always stands by us in every difficult period we come up against.
What is your strategy for the US? Will you continue promoting Greece as a luxury destination, will you go back to the more popular image, or is it going to be both?
Greece remains a blessed place with endless natural beauty and a unique cultural heritage. Our goal is to bring out each and every beauty separately, through alternative tourism forms. Alternative tourism will be developed in combination with the quality upgrade of our offered services, so that the visitor will feel content with his vacation in relation to money spent. Nautical and diving tourism, religious tourism, eco and agritourism, congresses and conferences tourism are just a few of the possibilities we offer. The “sun and sea” model on its own does not have a lot to offer to us any longer.
AHEPA held a memorable national convention in Athens two years ago, the Hellenic American Doctor’s Association met in Kos the year before, last summer the Pancretan Association did its convention on a cruise ship around Crete and the Leadership 100, perhaps the most powerful American Greek organization, is contemplating a conference there. Since you are a Greek American yourself and you know the terrain better than any of your predecessors, are you planning to actively encourage and assist this promising trend to develop even further?
Congresses and conferences tourism represents an internationally important market. That is the reason why we develop specific strategies in order to get all year round tourism. In our most important conference destinations (Athens, Salonica, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Kos) there already are (or are soon going to be built) conference centers of international standards, that will give a much needed boost to the rise of Greek conference tourism. Additionally, the largest hotels are, as we speak, renovating, modernizing and upgrading their conferences rooms. A country that aspires to be a conference center has to have many high quality conference hotels.
Due to the high cost of airline tickets, many younger people and families have come to realize that the regular summer trip to Greece is beyond their means. However, it is crucial that Greek Americans maintain a direct relationship with the land of their ancestors. George Markus from California talks about the need for young American -born Hellenes to visit Greece at least one time for a period of two weeks. Would you consider exploring ways that could make things easier, perhaps a charter airline or incentives to fly there during off high season times?
In a free market it is very difficult to venture great interventions, but I think that the way things are now, very soon all other airline companies will see a window of opportunity in order to increase flights from USA to Greece. Personally, I have undertaken several initiatives and I hope that fairly soon I will be in the position to tell you something more specific.
Greece used to be the ideal place for students and young people in general until the Euro became too expensive and the prices in the country soared. Are you examining the possibility of enticing college students back, perhaps by helping to organize packages for the Spring Break when millions of them travel for eight days?
Student tourism is a significant matter to us because we know that our rich cultural heritage, our museums and our ancient sights attract visitors on a global level. Our goal is to set incentives like, for instance, free entrance to all cultural sites so that the student visitors will get to know our ancient civilization in combination with our modern way of living. They will be able to discover our traditions and return home satisfied so that they will convey to their families and friends back home all the enriching experiences they had in Greece. In that way they will be the best possible ambassadors of Greece abroad.
Prime Minister Papandreou, a Greek American himself, during his recent visits to the US met with American Greek entrepreneurs and encouraged them to take advantage of Greece’s real opportunities in investing. In tourism, what are some areas where our people could put their money and expertise to work?
As we saw in the recent International Investments Conference held in France, the European model that combines growth and social justice, political effectiveness and democratic values, adjustment to present conditions and maintain traditions despite the global financial crisis, offers important investment opportunities, especially in the fields of innovation and green technologies. Specifically in Greece, there is vast potential to invest in tourism (hot springs, alternative tourism etc), as well as in renewable energy sources.
Are you planning to visit us anytime soon?
As soon as possible, as long as my obligations allow it, I will be with you. As you know I try to always maintain contact and communication with our compatriots in the States. Last time I was in the States was last March, in order to celebrate our National Independence Day. However, I have to make a trip over there fairly soon in order to promote tourism in Greece.
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