Elite Traveler March-April 2017

customers is offering high quality services. This is not limited to accommodations (hotels), but covers the complete spectrum of tourist services, for example service from the travel agencies, airport service and transfers, activities and services outside the hotel. Hence, to attract this market, is not enough to build isolated luxury units, but is necessary to have an integrated approach and strategy for all the involved parties, policy makers and the tourist market. Our strategic goal for both GNTO and the Ministry of Tourism is to develop sustainable tourism in our very diverse landscape, which is ideal for tourism all year round. For decades Greece was a very popular sea and sun destination. Tourists have often overlooked the Greek mainland but this is about to change. We are currently promoting new destinations ideal for medical tourism, hot springs tourism, for winter vacation, for outdoor activities and other forms of alternative tourism. For example, city break destinations such as Athens and Salonica, and other cities, are ideal locations for holding large-scale conventions and business meetings. Combining culture, sports, nature, local gastronomy and wine tasting, this thematic uptake is part of this new holistic approach in tourism development. Our goal is to offer high-end quality accommodation and services. Thematic tourism is a luxury international trend and we want to be the top choice for conferences, yachting, cruises, recreational sports, outdoor activities, and gastronomy. What would you say to people who seek to invest in your tourismproduct? There is an amazing scope for growth and investments in the luxury service. Attracting investments and enhancing foreign direct investments in the tourism sector is a win-win situation for investors. This is an open invitation to investors to explore this emerging field for business as great opportunities arise for large and small scale investments. Upgrading our national infrastructure i.e. regional airports in Greece is an excellent example of investment initiative that will increase and modernize our tourist infrastructure and services provided. The marinas and ports, yachting and sailing, theme travel, maritime tourism, cruises, tours in the mountains of Greece, the gastronomy experience and shared culture and the emergence of PDO (protected destination origin products) through What are your goals in terms of promoting luxury tourism?

their interconnection with the individual tourist destinations are also fields of great interest to potential investors. The Ministry of Tourism and the GNTO are here to safeguard the environment and we will make every effort to facilitate and support a workable, extrovert and successful tourist market for years to come. TheAcropolis The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. The most celebrated myths of ancient Athens, its greatest religious festivals, earliest cults and several decisive events in the city’s history are all connected to this sacred precinct. The monuments of the Acropolis stand in harmony with their natural setting. These unique masterpieces of ancient architecture combine different orders and styles of Classical art in a most innovative manner and have influenced art and culture for many centuries. The Acropolis of the 5th century BC is the most accurate reflection of the splendour, power and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak, the golden age of Perikles. GreekArchipelago The islands are the main characteristic of Greece’s morphology and an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition. Greek sovereign land includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which only 227 islands are inhabited. This is a truly unique phenomenon for the European continent. Many of these Greek beaches have been awarded the blue flag under the Blue Flags of Europe Program, providing not only swimming, but also scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. The ideal climate, safe waters and small distances between ports and coasts, have made the Greek islands extremely popular among Greek and foreign visitors. Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world – almost 9,940miles. The mainland and island areas end in a myriad variety of coastlines, with countless beautiful small beaches, charming bays and coves. Half of the aforementioned length includes the thousands of

Greek islands scattered through the Greek seas, while the rest extends along the mainland. The Greek shores are world-famous and are well known for crystal clean, clear waters, as well as for their unique diversity. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy beaches stretching along over many miles, sheltered bays and coves, golden stretches of sand with dunes, pebble beaches, coastal caves with steep rocks and dark sand typical of volcanic soil. GreekCuisine Greek cuisine has four secrets: good quality fresh ingredients, correct use of flavourings (herbs) and spices, the famous Greek olive oil and simplicity. Greek olive oil deserves a special mention. It accompanies almost all Greek dishes, it is used abundantly in most of them, it is of excellent quality and is very good for your health. Also, because the artificial cultivation of vegetables is not carried out due to the mild Greek climate, most vegetables are cultivated in natural ways and therefore maintain their aroma and flavour. There is nothing better than tasting Greek produce, including tomatoes, cabbage, carrot, onion, parsley and garlic, as well as the rich flavour and aroma of fresh Greek fruits, such as grapes, apricots, peaches, cherries and melons.

Year-round direct daily flights ensure Greece is convenient and easily accessible

Left to right: The Acropolis; Sailing yacht; Skiing village; Beach, Zakynthos; Greek Cuisine

Photo Marina Vernikou, Shutterstock