“The mayor of Athens must first and foremost take care of the everyday life of the city’s residents, their cleanliness, functionality and quality of life. Interviews in foreign media with misleading messages about Athens do not protect the city. On the contrary, they undermine its image and damage the capital’s tourism,” said Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni in a statement.
“Athens does not need fabricated images of crisis. It needs serious work, a responsible attitude and policies that truly address the pressures created by increased tourism demand.
The government has already taken a number of strong measures to protect the city and manage the impact of tourism. That is why any comparison of Athens with other international destinations, such as Barcelona, is simplistic and wrong,” she said.
“Athens is today a leading international destination. It has evolved not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. We all have a duty to protect it with seriousness, responsibility and respect for the city’s residents, workers and businesses,” the Minister of Tourism said.
