Having taken a prime title on the annual World Journey Awards Grand Ultimate, Breaking Journey Information right here chats with Greek minister of tourism, Harry Theocharis, to learn how it feels to have gained
Breaking Journey Information: Congratulations in your recognition because the World’s Leading Tourist Board on the World Travel Awards. How does it really feel to have gained?
Harry Theocharis: It’s a nice honour and a recognition of the onerous work we did this season, below very strenuous circumstances, threat and uncertainty.
This 12 months proved the other of that anticipated, essentially the most tough season for international tourism within the final decade.
My aim as minister of tourism in Greece, from the start of the pandemic disaster, was to make sure that our nation will open to vacationers with security.
Safeguarding the well being of vacationers in addition to of locals has been and can proceed to be our primary precedence as we are actually getting ready for the restoration season of 2021.
Because of our coordinated efforts and the technique that Greece adopted, we welcomed greater than six million overseas guests throughout a really quick four-month season, and everybody went house wholesome and protected.
Our imaginative and prescient for 2021 is to stay a prime protected vacation spot, providing distinctive experiences to guests.
BTN: How helpful are the World Journey Awards in terms of selling Greece to a worldwide hospitality viewers?
HT: Visibility constructed on outcomes and effectiveness such because the World Journey Awards supply is now greater than ever a robust device in selling our vacation spot.
Thanks for awarding our organisation for the profitable efforts in safely opening Greece to tourism throughout 2020.
This recognition ignites our will and dedication to supply guests a singular and protected journey expertise in 2021.
BTN: It has been a difficult 12 months for hospitality throughout Europe and, certainly, all over the world. What do you assume caught the attention of voters at this tough time?
HT: Undoubtedly Greece did an excellent job in dealing with the well being disaster brought on by the pandemic.
Our authorities’s pre-emptive lockdown technique early on and the meticulous measures and protocols that we put in place in an effort to open the nation to tourism paid off.
In follow, as precise guests loved their keep safely in Greece, this additionally considerably enhanced our nation’s model picture as a prime international vacation spot.
It’s no coincidence that this 12 months Greece returned to the top-five international tourism manufacturers in response to Ipsos survey, amongst 50 international locations.
BTN: Does the prospect of a vaccine for Covid-19 encourage confidence within the Greek tourism sector that the journey again to normality can start as we glance to 2021?
HT: We anticipate 2021 to be a 12 months of restoration, as folks greater than ever have the need to journey.
To make this want and precise choice, a number of components want to mix: the vaccine and attainable efficient treatment, monetary restoration of the markets and naturally a typical algorithm for travelling, not less than inside Europe, clear to everybody and agreed by all of the stakeholders.
From our aspect, we’re working intently with all of the our bodies pushing in direction of this route, as it’s the solely viable possibility if we wish tourism to make a comeback in 2021.
Greece is on the forefront of this effort and I’m assured that subsequent 12 months shall be a restoration season for our tourism and a protected, rewarding season for our guests.
Extra Data
The Greek Nationwide Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is a public physique below the supervision of the ministry of tourism.
It’s thought of the governmental board for the promotion of tourism in Greece.
Its important mission is to develop and promote the Greek tourism product by the implementation of promotional tourism campaigns each in Greece and overseas.
Discover out extra on the official website.
