Greece’s New Deputy Tourism Minister Pledges Action

Newly appointed Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki, Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis and outgoing Deputy Minister Manos Konsolas during the handover ceremony.

Sofia Zacharaki stepped in as Greece’s deputy tourism minister for tourism education and special forms of tourism during a handover ceremony this week following a cabinet reshuffle on Monday.

Zacharaki took over on Tuesday from outgoing deputy minister Manos Konsolas.

Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis thanked Konsolas for his contribution and efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, which he described as an “unprecedented crisis” and welcomed Zacharaki referring to the challenges ahead and underlining the importance of team work.

“Sofia is young with a vision for tourism and an appetite for work, and I am very pleased that we will be working together to address the problems and challenges in this crucial year for the recovery of tourism,” said Theoharis  adding that the ministry in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was are already drawing up campaigns.

“We have a lot to do, both in thematic tourism and in tourism education,” said Theoharis.

On her part Zacharaki thanked Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his “continued trust” and pledged to “make every effort so that the government’s vision for special forms of tourism and tourism education and training in our country is materialized”.

“I take over the duties of deputy tourism minister today with great joy and a high sense of responsibility. I’ve received an important project from Manos Konsolas, whom I warmly thank for the cooperation we had and will continue to have in matters of tourism,” she said.

“It is a special honor to work with minister and friend Harry Theoharis and I am sure that in a difficult year for the country, tourism will not only stand on its own two feet, but will also be the catalyst for the country’s exit from the crisis.”

Lastly, Konsolas expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve on the tourism ministry in such a difficult period.