The contribution of blockchain technology to the development of "Smart Tourism" (Blockchain technology: A bridge to "Smart Tourism") was the subject of a special session held on Saturday, March 26. Participated the president of the EOT, Angela Gerekou, in the framework of the Global Tourism Forum in Dubai.

In the introduction of her speech, the president of the Greek National Tourism Organization referred to the opening of the tourist season in Greece from the beginning of March. Also in the actions of the Greek government for the active support of businesses affected by the war in Ukraine.

She briefly presented the new tourism markets that Greece is addressing and the targeted campaigns that the Greek National Tourism Organization is already implementing. On the need for digital upgrading, Ms.Gerekou noted that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in Greece, as well as in the whole world. "The Greek government has taken many important steps to promote the digital agenda, but of course more can be done to develop digital services and stimulate the digitization of businesses," he observed, explaining: "This includes:

• promoting competition and incentivising interoperability in digital markets;
• increasing the availability of digital and complementary skills
• enhancing access to finance innovation ".

The president of EOT referred in particular to the use of new technologies in the field of tourism. She characterized blockchain as an effective tool with many uses outside of finance and cryptocurrencies. "This technology has revolutionized many parts of our daily lives. I firmly believe that tourism and blockchain have the potential to become a powerful combination. This technology offers security and transparency on many critical issues and especially on the way we travel", he said characteristically.

The Blockchain technology must serve people

At the same time, he pointed out the ethical dimension in the relationship between design and results in everyday life, since "technology is here to serve people". As he underlined, "the promise that blockchain will have an impact on millions of people, literally changing the world, is real. The key features of transparency, trust and volatility can improve people's lives by increasing the effectiveness, safety and verifiability of how organisations operate with a positive social impact." To conclude, Mrs. Gerekou recalled that the internet is about connection and blockchain is about trust and concluded: "It is up to us to protect ethical use, the Blockchain Ethical Design Framework, which ensures the protection of social values."