Theologia Houtou
Greece emerges as the second best European destination in the US tourism awards. Once again, Greece confirms its position as a highly preferred global tourist destination. According to Recommend’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, our country took second place in the “Best Destination in Europe” category, with Italy ahead and Spain completing the trio.
‘Recommend magazine’ is one of the most trusted trade publications in the US travel industry, aimed primarily at travel consultants and industry professionals, highlighting the top choices of American travellers.
This award highlights the attractiveness of Greece to a public that seeks high-level experiences, natural beauty, historical and cultural wealth and unique hospitality. At the same time, it is proof of the enormous potential of the country, which despite the perennial challenges, continues to stand out. However, the great scope for improvement also emerges.
The tourism power of Greece, despite this important distinction, has not been exploited to the extent it should, with the responsibility falling upon all the governments that have passed. With anti-Hellenic laws, they have abandoned the country’s tourism industry.
I will also refer to the travel companies that book at 5 euros a room and lock the largest volume of available rooms. Here it is clear, there is no need for any such company to collect 90% of the cost per head, leaving only 10% for the owner of the rooms thus filling our islands with low quality tourists, depriving the country of quality tourism.
Questions are raised about the perennial inability to exploit the country’s potential.
What potential would it have reached with the right strategy and proper infrastructure?
With tens of thousands of kilometres of coastline, cultural heritage of incomparable value, natural diversity, healing and energy places, Greece has all the guarantees to develop into an absolute tourist hub.
We lack modern tourist facilities – an obsolete accommodation network that normally cannot last more than 30 years (today most are for demolition).
The strengthening of the tourism industry cannot be based solely on private initiatives. An integrated state development plan is required, something that the political parties that have been governing us for years have not pursued.
Tourism infrastructure must be upgraded.
Modern hotel facilities that will provide all conveniences and security to their customers.
We need 10 thousand marinas if we want to talk about yacht tourism, which does not exist in Greece, while our country has a huge predisposition for this type of marine tourism, so that they are sufficient.
Train networks for the visitor to have the comfort of taking the train to visit places and destinations so that tourism collects everything from the tourist because they pay for the tickets, they will eat, drink, visit archaeological sites and not only…
A road network, new helipads, airports, etc.
Strengthening the cultural infrastructure: revitalising monuments, high-quality museums and supporting cultural tourism. The revival of the sacred and ancient geodetic areas to be filled by tourists who will come to know the Hellenic Ideals.
The promotion of special forms of tourism: mountain, culinary, sports and medicinal tourism.
This distinction should not be an alibi for inaction, but an incentive for revising tourism policy.
We can aim for the stars if we move with strategy and vision.
Greece can take first place, not only in Europe but also worldwide, with investments that will ensure quality in the tourism industry.
proven by the Political Body – The Hellenic Assembly (Ellinon Syneleysis) who will make available as soon as it assumes the institutions of the state. The said funds have been made readily available and use by the President of the Political Body, Mr. Artemis Sorras, placing the guarantees from his personal portfolio.
The time for action is now. All citizens must assume their share of responsibility and claim the future that our sacred country Greece (Ellas) deserves!!
Translated by Themis Ioakimidis
