HARALAMBOS MANIATIS General Secretary of the Region of Attica

"Surprise yourself in Athens-Attica"

Athens 2004 was a spectacular Olympic Games. Please share with the readers of the Telegraph Magazine how the Games were used as a catalyst in order to transform the city

The successful organisation of the 2004 Olympic and Para-Olympic Games provided Athens-Attica with the chance to show off to the entire world its outstanding new infrastructure. The day after the Olympic Games found Athens with a new transportation network, new or refurbished city and resort hotels, magnificent venues and quality of services. In the framework of organising the Olympic Games, the entire area has changed completely. All of us, from the Attica Regional Authority, down to the last inhabitant, wanted to see a new city, with changes that would last not only for the Games, but also forever. That is why there is also a post-Olympic promotion program to keep vivid the reputation and the image that Athens has gained from the Olympic Games. In this aspect, the 2004 Olympic Games were a catalyst not only for the further development of the city's tourism, but also for the improvement of everyday life of the Athenians.

There is still a lingering misconception that Athens is a grey and polluted city. How much of a barrier is this to reinventing the city and the region as a tourism destination?

Indeed you are right about this misconception and we believe that neither an advertising campaign nor simple statements are effective enough to convey the message that Athens has changed. However, the positive image of the city has increased significantly after the Olympic Games, and we believe that the misconception will tend to fade in the ensuing years mainly by the good word of mouth and the organisation of world events that attract the attention of international media.

One other important thing: we do surveys that give us important information on where we stand. There are 3 surveys that have been conducted about Athens-Attica. Two of those (one conducted with visitors departing from Athens International Airport, and the other one of the UK market) show that Athens is among the first choices of travelers. Moreover, the third survey, conducted last month, asked the conference organisers worldwide to evaluate Greece on conference tourism. According to the survey, 93% of the respondents named Athens as their first choice for a conference or an incentive programme.

The Olympic Games helped to transform international perceptions of Athens. The countdown to the final of the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2006 has begun. How will this international event help to cement Athens emerging reputation as a leading world city?

Of course the successful organisation of the Games created a very good image and reputation for Athens. The whole world saw us from a new point of view. But we all also know that we cannot rest on the laurels we gained from the Olympic Games; on the contrary, we need to do much more in order to keep and enhance the existing image.

The 51st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2006 that will take place in Athens, comes exactly at the right moment. This is another great opportunity for us to further refresh our image and to remind the whole world of our experience and know-how in organising big events. We all know that the successful organisation of world events is the most reliable and most effective way of promoting a destination.

The behaviour of tourists is changing. Today they are looking for more and more complementary activities and breaking up their holidays. The number of people organising their own holidays is also growing. The Athens Attica region has a wide range of cultural attractions. Do you feel you are well positioned to take advantage of these changes in the tourism model?

I think the answer is diversification. Today tourists have a specific motive or a need when they are looking for a holiday destination. Indeed, Athens- Attica offers a unique blend of history and culture through numerous site attractions and cultural events. However we offer more than that, to name a few: sports activities, picturesque islands just a few minutes from the Attica region, yachting and sailing on the Saronic islands, major athletic events, great beaches along the Attica coastline, not to mention our gastronomy and world-renowned night life.

Keeping also in mind the fact that the number of people organising their own holidays is growing, we have created the website www.athensattica.com, a site where the traveler can find all the useful information for Athens-Attica.
Though the figures of visitors coming to the Athens-Attica region show that we are doing well, it is hard for us to claim that we are well-positioned. Things are changing rapidly, and our goal is to adapt our tourist product to these changes - in others words, we need to be proactive.

What does Athens and the Attica Region offer as a holiday destination compared with its competitors?

I believe that every region has its own character and its own charm. I could go on and on and mention numerous things that make the Athens-Attica region a unique destination to visit. However, one thing among others that differentiates Athens-Attica from other cities/regions is that our region is the only one in Europe where the visitor can combine a visit to a modern city, and at the same time find himself within minutes of a resort destination either on the Attica mainland or the nearby islands.

I'd like to introduce the next question with the words of the writer Henry Miller. He said and I quote "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things" Can you describe for the readers of the Telegraph how Athens and the Attica region offers , "a new way of seeing things?"

I am glad you mention this great writer because Henry Miller in his outstanding book "The Colossus of Maroussi" praises Greece for its nature and way of life. So as to your question how Athens-Attica region offers "a new way of seeing things", I would answer you with some quotes from "The Colossus of Maroussi", where he spent a lot of time wandering in Greece, including the Athens-Attica region and its nearby islands: "No country I have visited has given me such a sense of grandeur ….It is a world of illusion", and when he comes to the Athens-Attica region, he says, "If there is one dream which I like above all others it is that of sailing on land", "….bending over to pick a flower from the bare soil of Attica the whole Greek world, past, present and future, rises before me".

I'd like to give you the opportunity to send a final, direct message to the readers of The Telegraph. Please go ahead.

The slogan in our advertising campaign is "Surprise yourself in Athens- Attica" so I wish all the readers of The Telegraph to have the opportunity to surprise themselves at every step in their exploration of the modern city of Athens and its picturesque nearby islands.