Greek Tourism Can Score High with Sporting Events, Says Minister

Acropolis Rally 2022. Photo source: ECO Acropolis Rally

Major sporting events can bring multiple benefits to the Greek economy and promote Greece as a year-round destination, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said on Thursday.

Speaking at the press conference for the 70th edition of the Acropolis Rally, Kefalogianni highlighted the importance of the historic event and its global appeal.

Also known as the “Rally of the Gods”, the Acropolis Rally will take place September 7-10 and include 15 special routes and 307 racing kilometers.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

“We support events like the Acropolis Rally, which is a very important opportunity to promote Greece, as well as part of modern Greek culture,” she said.

Recognizing the event’s place on the international motorsport scene that has millions of fans worldwide, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) once again is the grand sponsor of the Acropolis Rally.

According to GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis, the Acropolis Rally is not only a major sporting event but also “an excellent opportunity” to promote Greece abroad.

GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis. Photo source: ECO Acropolis Rally

“In the previous two years, through this iconic race Greece was shown in 150 countries and to a television audience of over 50 million people,” Fragakis underlined.

He added that over 10,000 foreign visitors stayed in Greece for at least four days while millions of images and videos “full of Greece” circulated on social media all over the world.

“It’s not easy to put a monetary value on the scope of our country’s international advertising, as the impact of the ‘Rally of the Gods’ is high both on the fans of motor sports and on the general public,” he said.

Acropolis Rally: 1953-2023

1953-2023: The Acropolis Rally celebrates 70 years. Photo is from acrchives of N. Kakoliri. Photo source: ECO Acropolis Rally

First run in 1953, the Acropolis Rally in Greece was part of the very first World Rally Championship calendar in 1973. In that time, it was only off the calendar twice in 40 years before losing its slot in 2013. However, the Acropolis Rally returned eight years later in 2021 as one of the toughest car races in the world.

Super Special Stage 2023

Back again this year, the Acropolis Rally will officially kick off on September 7 under the Acropolis and from there cars and crews will then head to the Athenian Riviera to the 2023 Super Special Stage. After Syntagma Square in 2021 and the Olympic Stadium (OAKA) in 2022, this year’s super special stage will be at Nerou Square in Faliro.

An impression of the Super Special Stage of this year’s Acropolis Rally 2023. Source: ECO Acropolis Rally

There, a route of some 1.5 km will be designed that will pass through the old Olympic facilities.

The main part of the race will start the next day and wrap up on September 10 in Lamia, next to the Service Park area.

An impression of the Super Special Stage of this year’s Acropolis Rally 2023. Source: ECO Acropolis Rally

“This year’s Acropolis Rally will be the culmination of the 70-year history of the race,” said Greek Alternate Minister of Education, Religions and Sports, Yiannis Oikonomou, who is also the president of the race’s organizing committee.

According to Oikonomou, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Acropolis Rally, the race will start right in front of what Greece is best known for: the sea.

Greek Alternate Minister of Education, Religions and Sports, Yiannis Oikonomou. Photo source: ECO Acropolis Rally

“We are aiming this year to showcase yet another strong point of Athens – its coastal front. It is a unique location, between iconic points such as the Peace and Friendship Stadium, the Hellinikon, the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation, the Flisvos Marina, always centered on the Acropolis. The Athens of history meets the Athens of the 21st century,” he said during the press conference.

2021 Acropolis Rally contributed 35.1 million euros to Greek economy

On his part, Greek Minister of Transport & Infrastructure Christos Staikouras highlighted the Acropolis Rally’s contribution to the Greek economy.

“Besides the obvious benefits for fans, athletes and local communities, the total financial footprint of the event for the year 2021 alone amounted to 35.1 million euros, according to a study,” he said.

Greek Minister of Transport & Infrastructure Christos Staikouras and Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during the press conference for the 70th edition of the Acropolis Rally. Photo source: ECO Acropolis Rally

Referring to this year’s event in September, Staikouras said that for another year, the spotlight of motor sports will shine on Greece.

“The 70th Acropolis Rally, an event with a long history, after its long absence, will once again be a valuable organization for our country, one with multiple financial and social benefits,” the transport minister said.