The need “to be realistic” in solving the challenges in tourism and the careful use of the term “overtourism” for our country, pointed out the General Secretary of EOT Mr.
Andreas Fiorentinos, speaking at the EOT’s booth at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair.
In his speech, Mr Andreas Fiorentinos said . Let us be careful in the use of the term in relation to our country. Because we live from tourism. And because aphorisms are not in line with the philosophy of Greek hospitality”. And he urged local communities “to submit realistic proposals to maintain the lead in tourism as well as the quality of the experience”, asking for the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism and Minister Olga Kefalogianni who “is dynamically fighting for the great bet of sustainability”.

The entire speech of the Greek National Tourism Organisation “It is with great pleasure that I am here today, among you, on the occasion of the 88th TIF at the EOT Pavilion. Some time ago, I was appointed by the Government to the position of Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation and today I have the opportunity to share with you my thoughts on Greek tourism. In the past, in the context of the TIF, the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism and the GNTO started their greeting by stressing that another tourist season was coming to an end and giving data on the first results. Today, as Secretary General of the GNTO and coming from the market, I will not refer to the end of the tourist season because the tourist season has finally been significantly extended. With an increase in the number of visitors in the last months of the year and in new Greek destinations. And this feat, which is due to the government’s vision and the tools it puts at our disposal. And it is the first big and substantial step towards the achievement of the major objective: sustainability. A big bet for which the Government and in particular Olga Kefalogianni are fighting dynamically. From the position of Secretary General of the EOT I would like to stress that we must be realistic. We should cooperate and manage together, in a coordinated manner, any potential challenges with intelligence, following good practices of other countries. The demonisation of tourism and the general debate that is going on about over-tourism does not serve anyone, nor does it produce solutions. Let us be careful in using the term in relation to our country. Because we live from tourism. And because aphorisms are not consistent with the philosophy of Greek hospitality. Overtourism, is the over-concentration of tourists in a destination where there is no infrastructure and no plan to manage tourist flows, arrivals & departures. Local communities should come up with realistic proposals to maintain the lead in tourism as well as the quality of the experience for the tourist. Seek the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism for those strands that need significant interventions. In conclusion, I would like to assure you that the Government, the Ministry of Tourism and the
Olga Kefalogiannis and the EOT are here to work out the best policies.
And let me reiterate that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the only Prime Minister who knows that tourism does not proceed on autopilot”.