Mrs Bakogianni, we have reached the final count-down. The great moment of the opening of the Olympic Games in Athens is close. On this account, what would you like to say to:
A) the hosts and those who contribute to the organization of this top event,
B) the athletes,
C) those who will visit our country.
All of us -the hosts and the contributors of this event- ought to be on the alert till the last minute and each of us must consider his part on the attempt for making the Olympic Games successful.
I would first of all like to say to the thousands of athletes that will participate in the Olympics that it will be a great honor for them just to take part in such an uttermost event. Their effort is what matters most. And especially to the Greek athletes I would like to point out that we will all be by their side and will applaud their attempts. We will of course give a big hand to all athletes from all over the world, who will struggle in the courts and stadiums.
Visitors from all over the world will also applaud along with us. Addressing to them, I would once more like to point out that Greece is a safe country and that the Olympic Games are a great opportunity to get to know the Greek civilization, the natural beauties of our country and Greek hospitality. Moreover, I am convinced that many of the those who will visit Greece during the Olympics will come again later on and will be the best ambassadors for our country.
In your opinion, can all these infrastructure works that have been done in Greece turn to account even after the Olympic Games era?
The Olympics gave us the opportunity to create facilities and infrastructure that under different circumstances would not have been done in such a short notice. And this already is to Greece’s benefit. Many of the works, such as the tram, the suburban railway and the motorways will surely make the life of citizens far more easier even after the Olympics and will reduce the time and cost of transportation.
However, there are some facilities for which we must find ways of exploitation even after the Olympics, so that we can achieve amortization of their construction costs. Such works are the stadiums, which on the one hand I am sure will further the development of sports activities in Greece and on the other hand we could claim on this basis the organization of other major sports events in the future.
Really, Mrs Bakogianni, are you at all nervous that something might go wrong during the Olympics?
Recently, when a foreign journalist asked me, I answered that I am being paid to worry. And it is logical that we want everything to work perfectly during the Olympic Games. We must be alert on a 24 hour basis, so that we will successfully face even the slightest problem that might come up. This certainly does not mean that I have lost my optimism and faith on the outcome even for a moment.
After so many trips abroad for the promotion and support of the Olympics, what message do you come bearing to the Greeks?
My message is that people abroad show much interest in the Olympic Games. They are hungry for information and what has thus far been done towards this cause was unfortunately insufficient. And that resulted in the misunderstandings and the press reports we have all repeatedly seen and know.
We must keep in mind that the foreign journalist who is engaged in reporting on our Olympics does not usually know Greece and when we haven't taken pains in keeping him informed, it is reasonable that he will either revert to data from untrustworthy sources or that he will react negatively.
I don't mean to say by this that there hasn't been cases when press reports aimed differently. However, I believe that our journeys abroad had great results and even at the last minute our attempt to inform people will cover all lost ground.
Mrs Bakogianni, I am under the impression that as far as the advertising campaign of Greece is concerned, not much has been done. When so much money has been spent on the construction of all these facilities shouldn't there be a more efficient campaign? The tourism sector is complaining and I believe there is some point in this. How do you respond to that?
It is true, a matter has been raised concerning the advertising campaign. But I believe that the promotion of our tourism is not just a matter of advertising. I told you before that there was a wider lack of information, which has created many problems. Let's not kid ourselves; mass media throughout the world play a crucial role in the creation of the preconditions that will help people make up their minds on a visit to Greece for the Olympics as well as on vacation.
On the other hand, we must take a look at the policy of all those engaged in the tourism sector. They must try to turn the wish of a visitor into a decision. In this case other matters of consideration come up, such as the quality and the competitiveness of services offered to tourists. We must all realize that tourism is a huge fund for Greece's economy and not just a coincidental occupation aiming at a short - term huge profit. We must aim at creating the necessary conditions, so that those who visit our country will also advertise our services. In this meaning, perhaps the hotel owners have every right to complain for the lack of advertising, but they should also wonder whether what they offer and the relative prices are competitive when compared to other tourist destinations.
Athens 2004 - Greece and mainly Athens will be in the center of attention. How do you feel as a Greek and as the Mayor of Athens?
I am proud above all because my country, a small country like Greece, that gave birth to the Olympic Games is in the center of world attention. And I will be more pleased, when the Games are successful and we will have confuted the arguments of all those who claim that Greece does not have the ability to organize such a great celebration for all people, a celebration of reconciliation and emulation.
By: N. Peter Kramer
