In a particularly emotional ceremony, the University of the Aegean honored Kostas Katsigiannis, former General Director of Tourism Development of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), recognizing his long-standing and decisive contribution to the strategic planning and development of Greek tourism.
The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the “Giannis Karalis” Auditorium in Chios, as part of the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Department of Tourism Economics and Management and the Master’s Program “Strategic Management of Tourism Destinations and Hospitality Businesses.”
Kostas Katsigiannis served for 35 years at the Greek National Tourism Organization, holding, among other positions, the role of General Director of Tourism Development from 1994 to 2005. During his tenure, he played a key role in coordinating and implementing actions under the 3rd Community Support Framework, in the planning and preparation of the tourism component of the “Athens 2004” Olympic Games, as well as in strengthening the country’s international tourism presence.
At the same time, he was an active member of ICOMOS, with continuous involvement in issues of cultural heritage and sustainable development, and has participated as a speaker in more than 200 conferences and scientific events in Greece and abroad.
As part of his visit to Chios, Mr. Katsigiannis delivered an open lecture entitled “Tourism development of fortified cities – the case of Mesta in Chios,” focusing on the importance of protecting, showcasing, and gently utilizing cultural heritage as a key pillar of sustainable tourism development for destinations.
This honorary distinction, as emphasized by the academic community, highlighted the enduring value of long-term, well-documented, and credible tourism planning as a foundation for shaping effective strategies and practices capable of ensuring the sustainable future of Greek tourism.
