ATHENS – Greece clinched 20 prestigious awards at the 2023 World Travel Awards (WTA) European Gala Ceremony, a prominent event celebrating high-end travel and tourism establishments. Held in Batumi, Georgia, this event marked the third leg of the WTA's 30th-anniversary Grand Tour 2023, a global quest to identify the world's top travel and tourism organizations.
The accolades garnered by Greece reflect the country's commitment to tourism excellence, earning recognition for elevating the industry's standards. Graham Cooke, the Founder of WTA, commended the winners, acknowledging their contributions to raising the industry's collective bar.
The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, is globally renowned for defining the quality standard in the travel and tourism sector. It particularly focuses on luxury resorts, 5-star hotels, city and island hotspots, and sought-after destinations.
Once plagued by a gritty, graffiti-covered image, Athens has transformed and emerged as a vibrant city, shedding its status as a mere stopover for travellers en route to the islands. It received the title of Europe's Leading Cultural City Destination. Mani in the Peloponnese was also recognized as Greece's Leading Mainland Destination for 2023.
Numerous Greek hotels across various categories and travel and tourism companies also received prestigious awards. Among them is the Grand Resort Lagonissi, situated on the coastline near Athens, one of the properties permitted to operate on public beaches.
Ironically, many of these award-winning establishments cater to a clientele that is beyond the reach of many Greeks, as they are priced to attract affluent tourists who contribute significantly to the country's revenue.
