On Thursday 18 January, the Tourism Awards 2024 Evaluation Committee met with the new President Ms. Varvara Avdi (Partner & Board Vice Chairman Historic Hotels of Europe, Founder, Yades Greek HistoricHotels). In a friendly and creative atmosphere, there was a truly inspiring dialogue about the awards, while the judges’ expectations for this year’s nominations were heard. Speaking of “hospitality” instead of “tourism”, the importance of the interpersonal relationship between the host and the guest takes on its true dimension. As this relationship develops, it is inevitable that the connection with the Greekness of both the nature and the customs of the country is inevitable. If the activity is to be sustainable, it must be rewarding, not only economically, but also for the natural environment and society.
The meeting also discussed the critical importance of linking the primary sector with tourism, as well as agri-tourism activity in Greece to avoid rural desertification, in a way that provides value to local communities. The search for and promotion of such practices through the awards was deemed necessary.
The need to support the new section of the “Brand Greece” awards, which through its individual categories, is expected to highlight crafts or products that are inspired by Greece, promote and promote the Greek identity. In particular, the integration of technology for the revitalization and global promotion of traditional handicrafts enhances economic, tourism and cultural vitality.
In conclusion, the words Sustainability, Resilience and Hellenism were very high in the whole discussion, with the President Mrs. Varvara Avdi and the members as great helpers in the development of the positions: Dr. Aikaterini Polymerou-Kamilaki (Researcher Emeritus), Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou (Region of Crete), Efi Lazaridou (New Georgia New Generation), Thodoris Bennettatos (Metropolitan College), Stathis Potamitis (Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture), Maria Theofanopoulou (GTP), Dr. Dr. Andreas Papatheodorou (University of the Aegean), Maria Lekakou (University of the Aegean), Mary Triantafylloopoulou (National Committee for Wine Tourism), etc.
The entry date for the Tourism Awards 2024 has been extended until Friday 2 February and submission is now open online at www.tourismawards.gr
