Marketing Greece and Ikos Resorts Promote the Cultural Identity of Corfu, Creating a Compelling Narrative

Marketing Greece and Ikos Resorts have joined forces -yet again- to present a series of initiatives aimed to promote Corfu and its unique cultural identity, during an event that took place on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the Asian Art Museum of Corfu.

Focused on enhancing Corfu’s sustainable hospitality growth, the new joint project of Marketing Greece and Ikos Resorts uses new technologies and digital trends to create a modern and original audio content highlighting the unique travel experience that Corfu offers its visitors. The audio content is free and easily accessible to the island’s tourist market and community.

The General Manager of Marketing Greece, Mr. Nikos Diamantopoulos, presented the audio content during the event.

The content includes three (3) Travel Podcasts and one (1) Self-Guided Walking Tour, taking visitors on a journey to the history and culture of the island, hence providing another way to deeply explore the destination:

Corfu Travel Podcasts are available in Greek, English, German.

Corfu and the Ionian School: A retrospective on the artistic movement that emerged in the Ionian Islands in the mid-17th century and lasted until the mid-19th century.

The Fascinating History of the Old Fortress of Corfu: An iconic fortress developed mainly by the Venetians, who ruled the island for over 400 years.

*The soundtrack of the above-mentioned podcasts is composed by Maestro Spyros Prosoparis and performed by the Philharmonic Society of Corfu.

Asian Art Museum of Corfu: a surprise for visitors, this is the only museum in Greece dedicated exclusively to the art and antiquities of Asia.

The Self-Guided Walking Tour allows visitors to explore the Old Town of Corfu through 27 points of interest. Walking through the Old Town, visitors may connect with Corfu’s main landmarks by listening to the stories behind each attraction. This tour covers less frequented yet culturally significant sites in the area, as well as local shops dedicated to gastronomy, local traditions, and the history of significant personalities associated with the island. The Self-Guided Walking Tour is available in Greek, English, German, and hosted on the Clio Muse Tours platform.

Ms. Ioanna Dretta, Chief of Marketing Greece, commented: "Tourism requires action and initiatives from all of us, and our presence today in Corfu derives from this philosophy. The project that we presented, that was implemented with the support of Ikos Resorts, aims to enhance visitors’ experience and connection with the local culture, and ultimately increase Corfu’s competitive advantage as a tourist destination."

Mr. Antonis Avdelas, Chief Sales Officer of the Sani/Ikos Group, said: "The future of tourism is linked with sustainability. All members of the tourism industry, we need to ensure that Corfu’s hospitality growth has a positive impact on the environment and the society, and with respect to its cultural identity. Our collaboration with Marketing Greece to promote Corfu as a sustainable tourist destination is precisely in this direction, and the campaign that we developed is FREE to all hospitality professionals, local authorities, and stakeholders."

The event featured a virtual address by Ms. Angela Gerekou, President of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), and was attended by Ms. Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, Mr. Panagiotis Varouchas, Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Ms. Despina Zernioti, Director of the Asian Art Museum of Corfu, Ms. Konstantina Maleskou, Director of the Achilleion Museum, Mr. Babis Voulgaris, President of the Corfu Hoteliers Association, and many other representatives of local associations and organizations.