At the 26th General Assembly of UN Tourism in Riyadh, the spotlight was supposed to fall on Shaikha Al Nowais, the first woman ever elected Secretary-General of the organization. And it did — briefly — until Greece’s Olga Kefalogianni leaned in for her close-up.
Between handshakes, statements, and photo ops, the Greek Tourism Minister congratulated Al Nowais, calling her election “a historic moment for global tourism” and “a strong message of renewal and equality.” She also noted that Al Nowais brings “new energy and dynamic leadership,” which sounds remarkably like how Kefalogianni often describes herself.
Greece Re-Elected, Kefalogianni Reaffirmed
With Greece securing a seat on the UN Tourism Executive Council for 2025–2029, Kefalogianni took the stage to remind everyone that Athens is once again ready to “contribute actively” to global tourism strategy — presumably under her immaculate guidance.
During her address, she spoke about boosting the organization’s budget, demanding “clear deliverables and measurable results,” a phrase that might be recycled from every press release since 2014. Still, it sounded good in the room.
On the sidelines, the Minister held bilateral meetings, thanked colleagues for their votes, and gracefully accepted Greece’s “honor and responsibility.” If self-confidence were a renewable energy source, Crete would be running on it by now.
The Riyadh Declaration and the Kefalogianni Edition
Kefalogianni also signed the Riyadh Declaration for the Future of Tourism, which promises tech transformation and inclusivity. She proudly pointed out that “Greek proposals were included,” subtly reminding everyone that even the future of global tourism needs a touch of Athens.
And, of course, she praised Saudi Arabia’s hospitality — because no international stage is complete without a touch of diplomatic flattery.
In the end, the world applauded Shaikha Al Nowais, but Olga Kefalogianni somehow managed to leave Riyadh with a glow that said, “History may have been made — but let’s not forget who narrated it.”