Op-Ed: ‘The Pandemic Crisis Brought Radical Changes to the Tourism Field’ – Konstantinos Zervas

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) has provided a podium for Greece’s key tourism figures to share their vision for the day after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic acted as an accelerator of the major changes that had already begun in recent years regarding the global tourism economy. The imprint of these changes will be present on a permanent basis.

Globally, even since the pre-covid era, there is an urgent need for a new model of sustainable tourism, which will follow the principles set by the World Tourism Organization. Moreover, the need for rapid digital transformation in every aspect of the travel industry needs to be emphasized. The pandemic crisis brought about radical changes in the tourism field. Travelers tend to seek for new destinations, less massive, alternative, that are closer to nature.

It was actually quite a success for Greek tourism to maintain the profile of the country both as a safe and as a top travel destination. Greece, by creating a new model of tourism development, human-centered and based on the principles of sustainability, can become a global center of authentic experiential tourism.

Special tourism policies can be built based on the Greek diet, since it combines three crucial factors: well-being, respect for the environment and promoting destinations with reference to the cultural identity and diversity of each place.

Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, is distinguished for many of these aspects and can actually become a major tourism destination in the country.

The key actions that need to be strategically implemented have to do with the recovery of Greece as a top tourist destination and with a dynamic re-branding, that will actually establish the country as a top travel choice. Greece needs to be promoted as a unique multi-island destination – which at the same time has an inland of rare beauty – offering personalized authentic experiences and providing a high level of hospitality services – all year round – in terms of safety and respect for the environment.”

* This Op-Ed originally appeared in the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) annual printed edition for 2021. Press here for more information.