The annual New Year’s cake-cutting event of the Greek Health Tourism Council – ELITOUR was successfully hosted at the restaurant of the Benaki Museum. The event provided an enjoyable opportunity for ELITOUR members, partners, and friends to exchange New Year’s wishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
In his address, ELITOUR President Dr. George Patoulis emphasized that the evening’s gathering was an opportunity to strengthen relationships and foster collaboration for a productive and prosperous year ahead. He highlighted ELITOUR’s leading role in the Health and Wellness Tourism sector and expressed optimism for 2025, predicting significant advancements in Medical Tourism in Greece with even better outcomes. Dr. Patoulis also elaborated on proposals submitted by ELITOUR to the relevant ministries (Health and Foreign Affairs), which include the creation of a Medical Visa, the reduction of VAT from 24% to 6%, the licensing of Day Surgery Units (DSUs) in tourist areas, and the operation of primary healthcare units within hotels.
The event was honored by the presence of the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, who stated his attendance was driven by his appreciation for the efforts of Dr. Patoulis, as President of ELITOUR and the National Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities (EDDYPPY). He also praised Dr. Patoulis as a long-time friend and a professional whose initiatives consistently translate into tangible results.
Brief remarks and New Year’s wishes were extended by ELITOUR Board members, including Vice President C, Mr. K. Kouskoukis, Secretary General, Ms. V. Delichristou, and members Mr. G. Kyriakou and Mr. C. Tzermias.
The President of the Association of Greek Doctors in North Rhine-Westphalia, Mr. I. Giannakopoulos, also addressed the gathering. As the Director of the Orthopedic Surgery and Robotic Surgery Clinic at the Athens Medical Center, Mr. Giannakopoulos highlighted the successful reversal of “brain gain” and praised Dr. Patoulis for uniting Greek diaspora doctors worldwide. Other speakers included Mr. A. Polydorou, Secretary General of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute, who conveyed the greetings of the president of the Cyprus Medical Association, as well as the other presidents of the Greek medical associations abroad, Mr. I. Kehris, Treasurer of the Athens Medical Association, Mr. L. Mamas, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Mr. S. Tsoukalos, Secretary General of AMA, and Ms. L. Markaki, Treasurer of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute.
The evening concluded with the ceremonial cutting of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute New Year’s cake, celebrating its invaluable partnership with ELITOUR in fostering global outreach. Additionally, the National Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities held its own cake-cutting ceremony, attended by numerous local government representatives and lucky participants who found the traditional coins hidden in the cakes.
Heartfelt thanks were extended to the event sponsors—IASO Group, Medi Derma, Athens Hospital, Seneca Medical Group, IQ Skin Clinics, and the OMMA Ophthalmological Institute of Athens—whose generous contributions and gifts made the celebration even more memorable.
