PRESS RELEASE
Greece Champions Global Tourism Leadership: Harry Theoharis Launches Reform-Driven Vision for UN Tourism at ITIC Summit
Tourism policymakers, private sector representatives, and international stakeholders gathered at the Grand Resort Lagonissi for the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC), where a bold and transformative vision for the future of global tourism was presented by Harry Theoharis, former Minister of Tourism of Greece and official candidate for the position of Secretary-General of UN Tourism.`
The ITIC Summit began with remarks from key international figures in tourism and public policy, including a video keynote by the Prime Minister of Greece, H.E. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who reaffirmed Greece’s enduring commitment to multilateralism and sustainable tourism growth. He expressed full national support for Harry Theoharis’ candidacy, highlighting his record of strategic leadership and results-driven governance during one of the most critical periods in tourism history: the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Harry Theoharis, who earned international acclaim for orchestrating Greece’s successful and safe reopening to tourism during the pandemic, addressed the Summit with a call for a new era in global tourism policy — one that places sustainability, inclusivity, digital transformation, and partnership between continents at the heart of international cooperation.
“Tourism must be a force of transformation. My candidacy for Secretary-General of UN Tourism is grounded in action, experience, and a shared vision with all of you for the future,” said Theoharis. “Let us work together — Greece and Africa, Europe and the world — to shape a global tourism agenda that serves the people and protects our planet.”
A Vision of Global Reform and Partnership
Hon. Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of Greece, reiterated the government’s commitment to a globally active Greece, emphasizing the country’s dedication to sustainable development, environmental protection, and empowerment of local communities. She underscored the readiness of Greece to play a leading role in shaping global tourism governance for future generations.
In his virtual keynote, H.E. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, emphasized the strategic value of enhanced EU-Africa cooperation, calling for co-financed investments and collaborative efforts in sustainable tourism. His remarks aligned closely with the vision promoted by Theoharis for inclusive development and regional synergies.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and Former Secretary-General of UN Tourism, who commended Greece’s forward-thinking leadership and steadfast commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of its tourism strategy.
Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary-General for International Economic Affairs at the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed delegates and emphasized the broader geopolitical role of tourism as a diplomatic bridge and catalyst for economic stability.
Angela Gerekou, President of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), delivered an impassioned statement highlighting Greece’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global tourism. “Harry Theoharis embodies the vision, experience, and integrity required to lead global tourism into a new era of sustainable growth and resilience,” she affirmed. “He is exceptionally well-suited to serve as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism.”
As the opening ceremony concluded, Harry Theoharis left attendees with a message focused on collaboration, future progress and determination: “Thank you all for your trust. Together, we can write the next chapter for global tourism — one of equity, innovation, and peace.”
Greece: A Case Study in Resilient Tourism
A highlight of the conference was the session titled “Greece: A Case Study of Successful Tourism Investment”, where Theoharis joined key figures including Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece, and Andreas Fiorentinos, Secretary-General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO). The panel demonstrated how Greece leveraged bold policy, digital innovation, and public-private partnerships to rebound from crisis and attract record investment.
A Shared Future with Africa
The session “The African Perspective” brought together high-level representatives from across the African continent. In a moment of unity, Harry Theoharis emphasized the importance of building bridges between Europe and Africa through tourism-led investment and innovation. He was joined by esteemed participants including Hon. Fredson Bacar, Secretary of State for Tourism of Mozambique; Ayomide Adeagbo, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria; and Hon. Nhlanhla Nene, Former Minister of Finance of South Africa, who echoed the call for stronger cooperation, value-based leadership, and equitable development.
“Mission 100 for Africa”: A Blueprint for Tourism Reform
In a forward-looking session titled “A Conversation with Harry Theoharis”, moderated by Aradhana Khowala, Founder & CEO of Aptamind, Theoharis expanded on his reformist vision through the lens of “Mission 100 for Africa”.
He outlined five key pillars of reform that should guide the future of UN Tourism. First, he stressed the importance of transparency and trust, aiming to strengthen institutional accountability and rebuild confidence among member states. Second, he called for a shift from event-driven approaches to long-term strategic planning, emphasizing the need for capacity building, policy continuity, and deeper partnerships between the public and private sectors. Third, he advocated for closer integration between academia and policymaking, ensuring that decisions are grounded in research and data-driven insights. The fourth pillar focused on intra-regional unity, particularly among African nations, through enhanced regional coordination and dialogue at the ministerial level. Finally, he underscored the role of public-private collaboration as an essential foundation for sustainable and inclusive global tourism development.
Greece at the Helm of Global Tourism
The ITIC Summit served as a platform for presenting a collaborative approach to tourism reform. Participants from governments, international organizations, and the private sector expressed support for a results-oriented leadership style that reflects current global challenges.
