Olga Kefalogianni | Message of optimism for Greek tourism from London

A series of interviews were given to leading British and international media outlets by the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, as part of her visit to London. With the central message that Greece is a safe and hospitable destination, the Minister underlined optimism for 2025, noting that "after two consecutive record years for Greek tourism, we are moving forward with confidence, as the messages for next year are extremely positive".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's "BBC The World Tonight" radio show and CNN's "Quest Means Business" television show, Ms. Kefalogianni extended an open invitation to the international community to visit Santorini and Greek destinations.

Santorini is ready to welcome visitors

The Minister assured that Santorini and neighboring islands are open and fully operational. She said:

“The important message I want to convey today is that Santorini, which I visited a few days ago, as well as neighboring islands, are open and operating normally. Visitors should feel completely confident that they can book for the season. Santorini is ready to welcome the world and I invite visitors from all over the world to experience its unique beauty.”

Referring to recent developments on the island, she noted:

“We prioritized safety when the seismic activity occurred at the beginning of the year. Now, the scientists have given us the green light, everyone has returned to the island and the people of Santorini are preparing for the upcoming tourist season. Santorini, one of the most beautiful islands in the world, is ready to welcome visitors.”

Sustainable tourism development strategy

Within the framework of the strategy for sustainable tourism, the Minister underlined the importance of managing visitor numbers and extending the tourist season. “Sustainability is our main goal, with specific measures and actions. We are already seeing the results, as in 2024 we recorded record numbers of visitors in October and November,” she said.

The reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in the spotlight

Ms. Kefalogianni made special reference to the issue of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, emphasizing that this is an effort to reunite a world cultural heritage monument. “Greece remains committed to this goal and is working systematically with its international partners,” she said.

Meeting with Bettany Hughes on the promotion of Greek cultural heritage

As part of her visit, the Minister, accompanied by the Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Andreas Fiorentino, held a working meeting with the distinguished British historian, author, and Channel 4 presenter, Bettany Hughes. The discussion, which took place at the Embassy Residence in London in the presence of the Greek Ambassador, focused on strengthening the international visibility of Greece as a destination with a unique cultural heritage and authenticity.

Ms. Kefalogianni concluded by pointing out that the promotion of cultural heritage is a cornerstone for the sustainable and quality tourism future of Greece.

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