The Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), Andreas Fiorentinos, referred to the role of culture as a driver of sustainable tourism development and to the Organisation’s vision for a modern tourism identity centered on cultural experience, speaking at an event entitled “ Delos: Intersections of Heritage and Innovation through Time and People”, which took place on May 27 at the Greek ambassador's residence in London.
The event focused on the island of Delos as a symbol of cultural value and innovation through the ages. It was organised by the Greek Embassy in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Hellenic Business Society in Great Britain, with Fiorentinos serving as the honorary speaker, following an invitation from the Greek Ambassador, Ioannis Tsaousis.
Fiorentinos emphasised the value of authenticity and historical continuity in tourism. Referring to his deep personal and family connection with Mykonos, Delos, and Rineia, he highlighted the role of cultural entrepreneurship, stating: "Tourism can be much more than a service: it can be storytelling, memory, and a relationship with place. Delos, though uninhabited, is alive. It speaks of light, aesthetics, the connection between people and landscape - all the things the modern traveller seeks today."
In her remarks, the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hélène Duchêne, spoke about her childhood memories of Delos, when her archaeologist father took part in excavations on the island. A message from Delos was also sent by British historian and author Bettany Hughes.
A special highlight of the event was the “ Sandwich Marble,” a rare archaeological find from Delos, currently housed at the Cambridge Museum. It symbolises the connection between Greece’s cultural treasures and the broader European and international community.
The event was also attended by distinguished figures from the fields of arts, politics, academia, and business, including sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, Dr. Vicky Pryce, member of the Steering Committee of the Greek-British Symposium, and former Mayor of Cambridge, George Pippas.