Greece's Minister Looks to Boost Tourism Ties With US
Feb 12, 2024
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Greek Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, discusses efforts to boost tourism ties with the US. Topics include increasing American tourists in Greece, balancing tourism with preservation, cyber preparedness, costs of living in Athens, challenges in the tourism industry.
Greece aims to attract more American tourists by promoting itself as a year-round destination with moderate weather, outdoor activities, and gastronomic delights.
Greece is committed to sustainability and environmental protection, striving to have all hotels sustainable by 2030 and addressing the impact of climate change.
Deep dives
Expanding Tourism in Greece
The Minister of Tourism, Olga Kepaloyani, discusses Greece's goal of expanding tourism throughout the year. While tourism in Greece has already been thriving, the aim is to attract more American visitors and promote Greece as a year-round destination. Previously, the lack of year-round direct flights was an impediment, but now there are more connections and plans for even more in the future. Olga emphasizes the importance of promoting Greece beyond the traditional summer vacation image, highlighting the moderate weather year-round, outdoor activities such as trekking and rafting, and the gastronomic delights Greece has to offer. The goal is to strike a balance between tourism revenue and preserving the natural and cultural environment.
Sustainability and Addressing Environmental Concerns
Olga Kepaloyani stresses the importance of sustainability and environmental protection in Greek tourism. Greece aims to have all its hotels sustainable by 2030 and is implementing strict legislative processes to protect the environment. The country is also focused on addressing the impact of climate change and aims to reverse its negative effects. Olga acknowledges the consideration of visitors when it comes to the carbon footprint of their travel and highlights Greece's commitment to responsible tourism.
Challenges and Opportunities in Tourism
Olga Kepaloyani acknowledges the challenges of finding the right balance in tourism, particularly regarding issues like overcrowding and the impact of platforms like Airbnb. Greece is focused on maintaining historical significance, preserving artifacts, and protecting the marine environment. The country plans to implement stricter regulations and quotas for cruise ship arrivals to preserve the balance between tourism revenue and environmental preservation. Olga believes that Greece's strategy of sustainability and a diverse offering of accommodations will attract visitors throughout the year.
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Minister of Tourism, discusses efforts to increase tourist flows from the US. Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Producer: Paul Brennan.