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Edited by Margarita Manousou

The president of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Ms Angela Gerekou with a vision

Greece to become a World Centre for Culture and Sustainable Tourism

warmly welcomes from the pages of grtraveller, the organization of the 24th event EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY OF GODS”

“The philosophy of hospitality and the global interest event EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY OF GODS“

  The philosophy of hospitality, as the president of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) underlines, is one of the most living cells in the DNA of Greek culture.
The tradition and practices of care and treatment of the foreigner, the visitor, run throughout Greek history and their origins go back to the realm of myth.
According to the ancient Greeks, hospitality was a moral duty and a sacred rule established by the gods themselves.
The patron of strangers was the father of the gods himself, Zeus, called Xenius Zeus.
This ancient “route” in time and in the space of our homeland is also followed by the emblematic Acropolis Rally, the Rally of the Gods… The Acropolis Rally, notes Angela Gerekou, who last year celebrated the 70th anniversary of its organization, is one of the most historic and important car races at international level, with a brand name that refers directly to our country and the tradition of hospitality.
Starting in 1953, the Rally was created by the Hellenic Touring and Automobile Club (ELPA), whose members were enthusiasts of the car and the technological developments of the time.
Nowadays, the EKO Acropolis Rally of Gods is a world famous event and is part of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Since 2014, the event has also been included in the European Rally Championship calendar.
The “Rally of the Gods,” directly links the Greek tradition of hospitality with the modern world of motorsport and tourism.
Featuring the world’s most famous drivers, the world’s leading race car manufacturers and the beautiful Greek mountains and landscapes, it attracts thousands of spectators from all over the world and is a leading sporting event of international scope.
Eleftherochori, Ano Pavliani, Daphne, Loutraki, Agii Theodoroi and other areas of the special routes will once again set the scene for the EKO Acropolis Rally and at the same time the image of Greece in every corner of the world, through international television coverage and online promotion.
This rally offers not only the thrill of a top sporting event, but also the acquaintance with the top mountainous landscapes of the mainland, proving that Greece is not only ”Sun and Sea”.
These “tough” high-adrenaline races are also an ideal opportunity for those who will attend them to get to know our vast cultural heritage and the whole kaleidoscope of authentic experiences it offers: diverse natural environment, gastronomy, customs, wellness and rejuvenation experiences, etc.

///It is well known the continuous efforts and initiatives of the President of the EOT for the promotion of the mountains of our country and the identity of each individual region. Among the important individual issues that have been discussed in the Committee of the Regions of the Parliament under the presidency of Mrs. Gerekou, are the issue of the “island” and “mountain” identity of the regions of the Region, the promotion and promotion of Delphi, the promotion of the “local identities” of the regional areas and mountain and winter tourism.

Based on all of the above, says Angela Gerekou, the Greek National Tourism Organization, as the national gateway for the promotion of the country, recognizes that the event is an extremely important action of global scope, which not only promotes sports tourism but also contributes greatly to the overall promotion of Greece’s tourist identity and the promotion of Greek tourism in the global tourism market.
That is why from 2021 the Hellenic Tourism Organisation supports the Acropolis Rally as a major sponsor, against significant compensatory benefits, which have brought the maximum possible benefit for the Hellenic Tourism Organisation and contributed to the strengthening of the country’s image internationally.
Taking into account the particularly significant communication benefits of the country during the organization of 2021, 2022 and 2023, the proven, high quality of the action, the emblematic character of the race as well as the extensive publicity and promotion that Greece will receive this year to an audience belonging to a high income market, The Greek National Tourism Organisation will also support the 2024 EKO Acropolis Rally, which will be broadcast worldwide online and on television by 150 television networks in 180 countries.  

The “Rally of the Gods,” directly links the Greek tradition of hospitality

with the modern world of motorsport and tourism.

  The Rally of the Gods is yet another irrefutable proof that Greece, with the necessary know-how and infrastructure, can host top events in motor sport and not only.
At the same time, the high standards of the event, which guarantees and ensures the safety of crews and spectators, further enhances the image of Greece internationally, not only as an attractive but also as a perfectly safe tourist destination compared to other competitive destinations, which is another objective of the National Strategy for the Promotion and Promotion of the country.
Of course, as our country, like the whole planet, is experiencing the consequences of climate change, any kind of sporting or tourist activity, especially if it takes place in a natural environment, such as this rally, must respect and ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
For the Hellenic Tourism Organisation, compliance with the rules of sustainable development is a necessary condition for the development of a new tourism model that fully respects the environment, culture and local communities.
The management and the organizing committee of the EKO Acropolis Rally are moving in the same spirit, focusing on improving its environmental performance, complying with national and European legislation, as well as the FIA sustainability programme and the Environmental Accreditation Framework.
For 2024, the institution remains firm in the same commitment, aiming to further raise awareness among all participants, spectators and volunteers.
In this context, the President of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Ms Angela Gerekou, wishes good luck to this year’s ^24th EKO Acropolis Rally, good racing to the participants and may the best win!

Angela Gerekou is a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Rome. She has worked as an architect at the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development in special projects for the regeneration of deprived areas of Athens and has carried out a large number of architectural studies for the wider Corfu area. He speaks Italian, English and French.

At the same time, Angela Gerekou has an important career in acting.
She is a graduate of the London Academy of Theatre Studies and joined and studied with Italian director Federico Fellini.

She is a member of the Special Standing Committee on Equality and Human Rights of the Greek Parliament and volunteers in many committees and actions for the rights of women, children, animals and nature.
She is also a member of the European Film Academy.