Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis takes the stage
“Another record-breaking year, with increased arrivals and higher revenues based on data from the Bank of Greece,” said the Prime Minister.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Announces Record Tourism Figures at Greece Talks Conference
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed remarkable results for Greek tourism during the Travel.gr Greece Talks conference, co-organized with Proto Thema. He stated that 2024 has been another record-breaking year, citing data from the Bank of Greece. The country welcomed 5.1 million international visitors, generating nearly €20 billion in revenue—a figure expected to grow further. Mitsotakis also projected sustained growth in inbound tourism through at least 2030.
In a discussion with Andrew Tuck, Editor-in-Chief of Monocle Magazine, Mitsotakis emphasized that the key challenge lies in providing higher-quality, more comprehensive experiences for visitors. Strategies such as extending the tourism season and improving peak-period infrastructure at popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini are central to this effort.
He highlighted the success of managing the Acropolis, Greece’s top attraction, as an example. With proper measures, 20,000 daily visitors can be served efficiently, ensuring a unique experience. This model is being explored for other landmarks across the country.
Additionally, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of sustainability and respect for local communities. Measures such as cruise ship levies and regulations on short-term rentals aim to prevent overcrowding and maintain high service standards. Mitsotakis noted that Greece has not faced significant anti-tourist sentiment, a challenge seen in other global destinations.
In conclusion, Mitsotakis underscored the critical need for balancing growth with quality, sustainability, and community well-being to secure the future of Greek tourism.
Mitsotakis’s Arrival at the Conference
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, where he was welcomed by Proto Thema publisher Tasos Karamitsos.
Travel.gr, Greece’s largest travel site, and Proto Thema are organizing the 3rd innovative Greece Talks conference on Friday, November 29, at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. The event, titled Identity, Future & the Traveler, focuses on Greece and Tourism.
Prominent speakers from Greece and abroad will share stories of creativity, innovation, and collaboration, fostering meaningful dialogue and generating ideas about Greece’s future in global tourism.
The mission of Greece Talks is to highlight the strengths of Greece in all areas related to Travel and Tourism, with key objectives:
- Emphasizing the importance of Tourism for the National Economy
- Showcasing people, ideas, and case studies marking the country’s transition to a new era
- Inspiring strategies, initiatives, and actions to promote Greece’s image and tourism identity now and in the future.
Program:
11:00
Opening – Welcome Remarks
- Fotis Tsimelas, Chief Product Officer
- Androniki Kolovou, Director of Travel.gr
11:10
Greece as a Cosmopolitan Experience
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister
- Andrew Tuck, Editor-in-Chief, Monocle Magazine
11:50
National Brands of Greece
- Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance
- Spyros Theodoropoulos, Chairman & CEO, BESPOKE SGA HOLDINGS SA, Chairman of the Board, SEV
- Vasileios Psalitis, CEO, Alpha Bank
- Mari Daskalantonaki, Managing Director, Grecotel
Moderator: Antonis Sroiter
12:35
Cities For People
- Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens
- Susanna Terstal, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Greece
- Matthew Lodge, Ambassador of the UK to Greece
Moderators: Elias Kikilias, Giorgos Michailidis
13:05
The State of Tourism & Hospitality 2024
Keynote Speaker: Ivan Gladstone, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
13:15
Personalised Experiences in the Future of Hospitality
- Charles Forte, Director of Development, Rocco Forte Hotels
- Kostas Panagakis, Principal, Travelworks Public Relations
13:35
Break
14:15
New Emotions in an Era of Mass Tourism
- Nikolaos H. Stampolidis, General Director, Acropolis Museum
- Dr. Angeliki Kottaridi, Honorary Archaeological Conservator
Moderator: Tina Mandilara
14:45
Conceiving the Future Hotel Experience
- Andreas Fiorentinos, General Secretary, EOT (Greek National Tourism Organization)
- Alexandros Vassilikos, President, Hellenic Chamber of Hotels & HOTREC
- Agapi Sbokou, CEO, PHĀEA | VP, SETE | VP, Marketing Greece
- Markos Chaidenos, Managing Director, Canaves Collection
Moderator: Giorgos Evgenidis
15:20
Wellness: Visualising a Transformative Journey
Keynote Speaker: Dimitris Daios, Managing Director & Member of the Board, Hellas Holiday Hotels SA
15:30
Innovation in Hospitality Design, and The Ilisian
Keynote Speaker: Tom Chalmers, Principal, Avro|Ko
15:40
Building Identity
Keynote Speaker: Andreas Kostopoulos, Co-Founder, Manhattan Projects
15:50
The Greek Cuisine Movement
Keynote Speaker: Athenagoras Kostakos, Culinary Director
16:00
Exploring the Horizon of Natural Ecosystems
Keynote Speaker: Stefanos Psimenos, Cartographer, Travel Guide Author
16:10
Locations: Myths Conveyed Through Film
- Christoforos Papakaliatis, Director, Screenwriter
16:30
Conclusion
