Athens was recognised from among 150 cities for its promotional film “Breathtaking Athens,” taking third prize in the City Tourism category of the international Golden City Gate competition at the ITB 2010 trade show.
The award was presented to the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) during the formal ceremony that took place in a packed ITB Cinema on 11 March. Present at the event were representatives from all cities that had stands at the show, as well as those which had entered the international Golden City Gate competition, German tourism officials and journalists from around the world.
“This is a particularly important distinction, especially at this time when our country and Athens are getting a great deal of negative publicity. In addition, it is particularly significant that this award is made during one of the largest tourism trade shows in the world, the ITB, and in Germany, which remains one of the most important markets of origin for visitors to our country,” said Dr Katerina Katsabe, Athens City Council member and ATEDCo president.
The judges committee consisted of recognised personalities from various organisations in tourism and cinema. Each entry was rated on a scale of 50 points according to the script and creativity, as well as the visual, acoustic and emotional impact made by the film.
The promotional film on Athens, “Breathtaking Athens,” depicts Athens in a distinctive and modern way, showing the city as an ideal destination with many options. By presenting the modern metropolis in a creative and artistic light, a different side of Athens is brought out. The film has been posted onwww.breathtakingathens.com/breathtaking-athens-film, as well as on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5UufrTh-dw), and is also being used to present the city at trade shows, conferences and through third-party digital media.
As part of Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis’ strategy to establish Athens as an ideal destination throughout the year, the distinction earned by the “Breathtaking Athens” film created by ATEDCo is indicative of the systematic and targeted effort to promote Athens, placing emphasis on its comparative advantages and using modern means of communications.
The new promotional film on Athens receives dozens of positive comments daily on foreign blogs and is also a candidate for New York’s Clio Awards, Great Britain’s D&AD and the international Cannes Lion.
