ATHENS — The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has awarded Greece a top international distinction with special significance for the promotion of Greece as a global example for the safe opening of tourism in the pandemic. The "Global Champion Award for COVID-19 Crisis Management" was received by the Minister of Tourism Haris Theoharis, at a special event during the WTTC's annual global conference, which is being held this year in Cancun, Mexico.

Commenting on the award for Greece from the WTTC, Theoharis pointed out the following:

"I feel very honoured by this exceptional – and extremely substantial – distinction for Greece. I warmly thank the World Travel and Tourism Council for offering me the opportunity, in my capacity as Minister of Tourism, to receive this award on behalf of the Greek government, on behalf of my entire country. The 'Global Champion Award for COVID-19 Crisis Management' is awarded to the entire Greek tourism industry. The WTCC recognises the [immense effort] to which the employees, entrepreneurs and all those involved in the provision of tourism services have contributed, in an unprecedented success for Greece.

"We all managed to keep the national tourism product alive during a difficult period without precedent. And at the same time we have managed to keep alive the hope for millions of people around the world, proving in practice that health safety can be achieved. And safety can in turn make travel possible, even in a state of siege from the pandemic."