Attica Region Counts on Healthy Cities to Promote Wellness Tourism

Healthy cities and regions can play a decisive role in the development and formulation of health and wellness tourism policies, said Attica Region Governor George Patoulis during the 18th Hellenic Network of Healthy Cities Conference held in Voula last weekend.

Addressing the event, which was part of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, Patoulis said Attica had already been designated as a top sustainable destination and ‘healthy’ region ready to welcome the world’s health tourists.

“Coming out of a universal health crisis and at the same time in response to the Climate Crisis, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sets the goals for the promotion of sustainable tourism development, which it hopes to implement through the ‘Healthy Cities’ program,” said Patoulis, who is also president of the Greek Health Tourism Council Elitour.

Launched by WHO in 2020, Healthy Cities is a global movement working to put health high on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments.

Attica Region Governor, George Patoulis.

“In addition to being a ‘must visit’ destination and named Europe’s leading Sustainable Tourism Destination for 2022 at the World Travel Awards, Attica is being transformed into a sustainable destination and a ‘healthy region’ after joining the WHO Regions for Health Network,” said the governor, adding that “from now on” travelers will be choosing Greece for its high quality health and wellness services.

Also attending the event were medical and health experts from the fields of assisted reproduction and IVF, dentistry, plastic surgery and hair transplants – all areas that have been attracting health tourists over the last few years.

Delegates pointed out that confidence in Greek medicine and science together with international certification, travel insurance and post-sales services covering comprehensive treatments can serve as a strong ambassador of Greece abroad, attracting medical and health tourists and driving the Greek economy.

Lastly, investment opportunities in health and wellness tourism in Greece were presented as well as funding resources.