
The launch event for the new book by Dr. George Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association, ELITOUR, and the GDHI, entitled Health Tourism: Past, Present, and Future, published by Pedio – Ellinika Grammata, was held with great success at the packed “Michalis Vlastarakos” event hall of the Athens Medical Association.
The book was introduced by Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistocleous, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) President Angela Gerekou, President of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, journalist Harris Ntigrintakis, and publisher Youli Papachristofilou. The event was moderated by journalist Stavros Monemvasitis.
The book is divided into three sections, as the title suggests. The first section, covering the past, delves into the history of Health Tourism, with references to Homer and Greek mythology, emphasizing the Asclepieia, the first organized examples of Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life Tourism, and the contributions of Hippocratic medicine. Further, it highlights developments during the Roman and Byzantine eras, the Middle Ages, and modern times, up to the establishment of the Greek state and the contemporary period. The second section focuses on the present, discussing the concepts, categories, and stakeholders in Health and Wellness Tourism, offering insights into the sector’s increased demand, especially post-pandemic, and analyzing its economic dimensions and future prospects. The third section is a journey through time and place, documenting with text and images milestones from a decade-long effort to promote Health Tourism and the Hippocratic spirit. Through this journey, Patoulis underscores both Greece’s potential in Health Tourism and the value of its renowned medical workforce, while highlighting new opportunities created through collaboration among stakeholders and the state.
The author, George Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association, expressed deep emotion, thanking the large crowd for their presence at the event and apologizing to those who were unable to find a seat. He remarked, “I wanted today’s book presentation to take place in the home of doctors, the Athens Medical Association, and I apologize to those who were not able to feel the hospitality as I had intended.”
During his speech, Patoulis noted that Greece can and should play a central role in global Health and Wellness Tourism. The combination of Greece’s medical tradition, the Hippocratic spirit, the Asclepieian model, along with the high quality of its medical professionals and health and hospitality infrastructure, provides a robust foundation for the national product known as Health and Wellness Tourism. He emphasized that the journey detailed in the book represents his vision and goal: to make Greece a global point of reference for Health and Wellness Tourism.
The turnout was overwhelming, with hundreds of doctors, representatives from the country’s political leadership, academia, medical organizations, scientific societies, Parliament, local government, the cultural sector, and many other distinguished attendees. Among those present were Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security G. Karagounis, former Minister of Health A. Giannopoulos, former Deputy Minister of Greeks Abroad A. Gerontopoulos, Cyprus Ambassador to Greece S. Avgoustides, former Member of Parliament P K. Aivaliotis, IASO President G. Stamatiou, REA President K. Mitsakos, Biotype Director G. Chronas, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology at NKUA Dr. G. Chrousos, World Robotics Federation President N. Konstantinidis, General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine K. Pantos, General Secretary of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute A. Polydorou, ELITOUR Vice President K. Kouskoukis, ELITOUR board members V. Delichristou, N. Kouvelas, doctors G. Zoumis, L. Mamas, T. Mantzavinos, director G. Smaragdis, General Secretary of Vexillum Sciacca International Awards V. Bafataki, Vice President of the Kos International Foundation N. Manousis, President of the Hellenic Society of Mastology L. Mouzaka, POSIPY President T. Chatzipanayiotou, and President of the Maroussi Pontian Association “Nikos Kapetanidis” D. Kosmidis.
Members of the Athens Medical Association board present included Vice President F. Patsourakos, General Secretary S. Tsoukalos, Deputy General Secretary A. Foustanos, Treasurer and former Deputy Regional Health Director G. Kechris, board member I. Datseris, Disciplinary Council President G. Kassaras, and Vice President C. Tzermias.
Among local government representatives, Vice Mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni N. Karagian, Civil Protection Vice Mayor of Paleo Faliro G. Asimakopoulos, Dafni-Ymittos Vice Mayor A. Manggita, Nea Smyrni Vice Mayor P. Yatzidis, Peristeri Health Vice Mayor G. Bekiari, Special Adviser to the Mayor of Maroussi S. Tsipourakis, and former Maroussi Vice Mayor K. Antonopoulos were also in attendance.
Significant representation from the Region of Attica included Regional Councelors H. Alexandratos, A. Vathiotis, E. Barbayanni, R. Moraitaki, and former Regional Councelors E. Kosmidi and A. Kourtis, as well as former Special Associate K. Logothetis and other distinguished attendees.