- Mayor Zacharias Doxastakis hosted British Consul Alexandra Gregory in Hersonissos.
- Hersonissos boasts 100 five-star hotels and 200,000 beds.
- Over 5 million Britons visit Greece annually, with Hersonissos a key draw.
- Discussion included the “Pay-As-You-Throw” waste system and Civil Protection planning.
- The Consul received the honorary title of visitor, along with local souvenirs, in recognition of Minoan heritage.
Diplomacy in Crete sometimes looks less like treaties and more like small talk about garbage disposal. The Mayor of Hersonissos, Zacharias Doxastakis, welcomed Alexandra Gregory, Consul of the British Embassy in Athens, for a meeting that checked all the boxes: tourism, sustainability, safety, and a polite exchange of gifts.
Also present were Aristea Chourdaki, Vice Consul of the British Consulate in Crete, and Katerina Thrapsanioti, Deputy Mayor for Tourism. The agenda? Everything from the millions of British visitors who land here every summer to the thrilling details of how a municipality manages its trash.
Britain Loves Hersonissos (and Rubbish Sorting)
Mayor Doxastakis praised the “long-standing cooperation” with Britain, recalling the good old days when crises demanded direct coordination. Today’s crises, apparently, involve convincing five million British tourists that sustainable tourism is both possible and stylish.
He highlighted Hersonissos’ impressive numbers:
- 100 five-star hotels
- 200,000 beds
- A booming reputation as a resort destination
Gregory, for her part, nodded at all the right moments. She emphasized that the UK cares about “quality tourism” and “safety,” noting that most Brits stay in organized, certified hotels. She also expressed interest in Hersonissos’ “Pay-As-You-Throw” waste system, proving that nothing excites a British official more than efficient rubbish management abroad.
The Ceremony of Titles and Trinkets
Before the meeting ended, the mayor bestowed upon Gregory the honorary title of visitor. A safe bet, since she confessed she had already been visiting Crete frequently long before becoming Consul. Alongside the title, she received local souvenirs — reminders of Minoan culture, the palace at Malia, and Cretan history, which she praised with diplomatic enthusiasm.
Mayor Doxastakis wrapped up with a flourish:
Hersonissos is not simply a tourist destination; it is a place with history, culture, and vision. And this vision we share with our visitors, our partners, and our friends from all over the world.”
Between the Lines
It was, in short, the kind of meeting where both sides smile for photos while carefully avoiding anything controversial. Britain applauds sustainable tourism, the mayor counts five-star beds like medals, and everyone pretends waste management is a glamorous topic.
If diplomacy is about symbolism, then this meeting delivered: Britain got a title, Hersonissos got a nod, and Cretan tourism got another paragraph of polite optimism. The only thing missing was tea and biscuits.