Harry Theoharis attended the international exhibition World Travel Market (WTM) in London as part of his campaign to support his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
During WTM, the former Minister of Tourism of Greece held a series of meetings with tourism ministers from various countries, including Italy, Portugal, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, and Bulgaria, among others, as well as representatives of prominent public and private organizations in the global tourism market.
Additionally, he participated in the Tourism Ministers’ Summit, which focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications for leveraging its immense potential while establishing the necessary regulatory framework to prevent misuse.
Sharing his perspective during the summit, Mr. Theoharis stated:
“Tourism, above all, is about experience. This is the human element—and it will never change. However, today, long queues at airports and checkpoints are part of this experience. Through Artificial Intelligence, we can better manage waiting times, improve infrastructure maintenance, and ultimately enhance the travel experience by emphasizing its human aspect while minimizing sources of frustration that could detract from the journey.”
Reflecting on his engagements at WTM, Mr. Theoharis remarked:
“Our presence at the World Travel Market (WTM) marked a significant step in supporting my candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). I had numerous productive meetings with tourism ministers and distinguished industry leaders, many of whom I now consider personal friends after years of close collaboration. We discussed Greece’s candidacy for this important role. WTM served as the first milestone in a campaign that brings hope for change, starting with the UNWTO itself. The goal is to make the organization more effective and impactful in its actions and interventions, ensuring that we achieve what we all strive for: sustainability in the tourism sector and fulfillment of the UN’s sustainability goals in this crucial field of economic activity.”
