In a bid to get on the road to recovery following the financial difficulties of the last few years, Greece has been on something of a tourism drive.
The latest initiative involves some expensive advertising space in the heart of London, paid for by more than 200 Greek nationals.
The group of donators have pooled their resources to buy a £12,000 advertising space in London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus.
The money was raised for the two-week slot through crowdfunding via the website loudsauce.com.
It’s part of a wider initiative called Up Greek Tourism, a grassroots campaign run by Greek volunteers in a bid to promote Greece around the world.
“We are delighted to be able to put Greece Tourism on display in one of the world’s most visited places,” said Katerina Spetsiou, project manager for the London campaign.
“We understand that these are financially difficult times and greatly appreciate people’s contributions; but most of all we feel touched by their love for Greece.”
The Piccadilly Circus billboard features an animated boat sailing across the sea, with the word ‘We are off to Greece’.
It also features the faces of people who helped to raise the money to get the billboard in place.
“Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we can contribute to our country’s economy by helping boost tourism at a time when it’s most needed,” added Ms Spetsiou.
This is the time the Up Greek Tourism campaign has crowdfunded an advert in the centre of a major international city.
Billboards have also been launched in New York and Washington DC in the past, urging Americans to visit the financially struggling country.
Visitor numbers to Greece dipped last year as a result of financial and political unrest, despite the fact that many hotels and tour operators slashed prices to the country.
Given that tourism makes up 16 per cent of Greece’s GDP, campaigns like Up Greek Tourism are vital to the country’s future.
(Images courtesy of Up Greek Tourism)
