Ioanna Dretta: Tourism is the superpower of the Greek economy

The auspicious prospects for Greek tourism in the coming years were mentioned by the acting Minister of Tourism, Ioanna Dretta, at the General Assembly of SETE.

As she pointed out, “this year Greek tourism is headed for a new increase in size. It improves its services, enriches its product, gains in competitiveness and is the superpower of the Greek economy”.

She referred to SETE’s contribution to the upswing of Greek tourism and characterized tourism as “a superpower that finds a way to grow when everything around it recedes and shrinks, and over time contributes to the national and local economies and societies”.

She highlighted the necessary changes and adaptation to new data, and highlighted the importance of synergies.

She also set a new parameter saying that “sustainable development from now on should be a central priority and we must reposition the tourism product, around sustainability and how we will offer based on the principles of sustainability in the economy and society” .

Her speech

“It is a multifaceted joy and honor that I feel today, addressing you with this greeting. It is a peak moment for Greek tourism, which is recovering impressively after the pandemic.

It is an important moment for SETE that after six years of extremely successful presidency, Yiannis Retsos, hands over the baton to a new President.

At this moment, standing here before you, I am prouder than ever of Greek tourism.

Because tourism is an invaluable asset for our country.

And this was seen in all the recent crises. In the most unfavorable economic conditions, it decisively supported the Greek economy and Greek society. And then, during the years of the pandemic.

Greek tourism has succeeded. It stood on its feet, it worked, it brought in valuable revenue, it gave huge fiscal breaths.

And this is due to a huge extent to the superhuman efforts made by all of you entrepreneurs as well as your employees

This year, Greek tourism is headed for a new increase in its size.

It improves its services. It enriches its product. It gains in competitiveness and is the superpower of the Greek economy.

A superpower that finds a way to grow when everything around it recedes and shrinks. Allow me to add one more thing here: Greek tourism contributes not only to the national but also to local economies and societies.

From 2010 to 2019 – i.e. the decade before the pandemic – the sector recorded 135 billion euros in revenue, while 250 million people came who, according to surveys, had a very good experience.

Let us all consider what this means for our country.

And let’s recognize that there is no stronger and more effective multiplier of the positive reputation of Brand Greece.

Clearly, despite the advantages, there are great challenges, difficulties and important problems to which we cannot turn a blind eye.

As many are the opportunities of the post-covid era, which are waiting for us to recognize and take advantage of them.

And I have said it many times, on many occasions and in different times and circumstances, that there is only one path.

The synergies. And the basic tool that cannot be missing in this process is know-how. The specialized knowledge that exists out there both in Greece and abroad, that exists in this room, and all governments must make the most of it.

The wealth of Greece is not only the sun and the sea. It’s its people. Tourism entrepreneurs. The workers.

The new minds that bring knowledge, innovation, fresh air and ideas to the tourism ecosystem. Before I close, let me mention something else, which I think cannot be missing from this greeting: sustainable development.

From now on, these should be a central priority:

How we will reposition our product, around sustainability and how we will offer based on the principles of sustainability in the economy and society.

SETE’s contribution to the upward trend of tourism was and is decisive. Contributing to the public debate with a cool, realistic, balanced agenda laid and continues to lay strong foundations for our field to move forward.

I will always share your vision and values. And I will always be proud and certain, that Greek tourism will make upheavals and will surprise us with its incredible, inexhaustible dynamic potential”.