The National Tourist Organization’s posters for advertising Greece as a travel destination go back 95 years and are remembered with fondness. These iconic photos had been recently featured in an exhibition titled “A Journey in Time Through Art” at the Embassy of Greece in Melbourne and Canberra on the occasion of Greek Cultural Minister Olga Kefalogianni’s visit to Australia. Some of these are works of art were created by famous local artists who injected their love of Greece into the cult designs that now stand as iconic testaments of how Greek tourism has developed from the early days. Rather than appear as advertising deals, these vintage posters are subtle works of art.

It all began with the first dated Greek Tourist poster featuring the Parthenon, photographed by famous photographer Nelly’s. The work was created just after the establishment of the Greek Tourist Organization in the second period of the political leadership Elefhterios Venizelos – during a time when the “Great Idea” (Megali Idea) of making Greece glorious was rife.

Year 1934 – Edipsos – Published by: G.N.T.O.

Year 1938 – Published by: Under – Secretariat for the Press and Tourism – Designed by C. Polychroniadi

Year 1947 – Published by: General Secretariat of Tourism – Designed by S. Vassiliou

1948 – Littoral of Aegean Sea, published by the G.N.T.O, Designed by Panagiotis Tetsis

Year 1955 – Kastella – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by G. Vakirtzis

Year 1956 – Hydra – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by Y. Moralis

Year 1956 – Olympia, Apollo – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by G. Vakirtzis

Year 1960 – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by S. Vassiliou

Year 1963 – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by M. Katzourakis

Year 1967 – Temple of Wingless Nike (Victory), Athens – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by I. Svoronos

Year 1969 – Yachting in Greece – Published by: G.N.T.O. – Designed by N. Kostopoulos