Interview with Mr. Tony Chote

Interview with NS Travel & Tours Associate Managing Director, Mr. Tony Chotechuang Soorangura:

“The uniqueness of Athens and the wider Attica region, with their history, culture and attractions, is what Asians want to explore.”

1. Mr. Chote, your family owned one of the most historic outbound travel agencies in Thailand. For what reasons would you advise your clients to travel to Attica?
NS Travel & Tours has been leading tourism in Thailand since 1979, so we have considerable experience regarding developments in Thai tourism. In recent years, within the context of international tourism growing globally, the number of Thai travellers has significantly increased, reaching 11 million in 2019. That being said, Thais are increasingly travelling abroad, not only to nearby but also to distant destinations. Digital technology also gives them access to various information, photos, reviews, articles, and video tours, tempting them to expand their travel explorations. As a result, more experienced travellers tend to gradually move away from large and crowded urban destinations and seek new exotic experiences. This is why Greece, especially Attica, can cater to this demand as an exotic destination. Athens and the broader Attica region are widely known for their history, ancient culture, and famous landmarks. This uniqueness is what Asians want to explore.

2. As a tourism professional as well as a traveler what do you remember most from your trip to Attica?
Due to my work, I truly travel to many continents. I suppose it’s the most significant advantage of this career. I have the opportunity to see so many different cuisines, cultures, histories, people, architecture, nature, and so on. Honestly, of all the places I have visited, Attica is one of my top ten. It has been over 13 years since my first trip to Attica. I remember landing in Athens, and shortly after, as I was driving towards the city, my eye caught sight of the Acropolis. As a child, I was fascinated by the Greek gods, Greek mythology, and history. Seeing the Acropolis reminded me of the fantasies of my childhood. It is thrilling to have such a remarkable architectural monument in the centre of the city.

3. Imagine for a moment that you move from Bangkok and you decide to live in Attica. Where would you like to be, in the heart of the city or by the sea? How would you spend your days?
By the sea, of course. If I move out of bustling Bangkok, the only reason would be to find a peaceful life. I would choose a beautiful place along the Attica Riviera or one of Attica’s islands. I must say, I’m not a person who likes sunbathing every day. After all, I’m Asian and most Asians avoid the sun. Therefore, what I need, is a beautiful view of the blue sea, to enjoy every day from my window.

4. Tell us a few words about the gastronomic scene in Attica. What are your favourite Greek flavours and aromas?
Asians are very selective when it comes to food. We enjoy eating. I do too. I love trying different dishes, especially local specialities. In Attica, my favourites – and the favourites of most Asians, I would say – are fresh seafood and Aegina pistachios. Very often, tourist groups bring back a lot of pistachios as souvenirs.

5. In your opinion, what are Attica’s competitive advantages in attracting visitors all year round?
I think I should start from Athens. The main attraction, I would say, is the unique tourist segments of the place, such as the culture, archaeological sites, history, and certainly the Acropolis, which, as mentioned before, travellers cannot find anywhere else. Additionally, let’s not forget that all these are truly worth capturing in photos and ideal material for social media, such as Instagram. Then, there is the beautiful nature – mountains and sea – just a few minutes from the city centre. And, of course, the islands, each very distinctive and different, catering to all preferences.

6. Rich culture, warm hospitality, easy communication with most Greeks who speak English, modern infrastructure, and high-quality services. What is the strongest advantage of Attica that Asian visitors appreciate the most?
I believe the strongest advantage of Attica lies in its rich cultural and historical background. It tops the list in the minds of Asians when they think about Greece. Another strong advantage that I always say to my clients is about the Greeks themselves. Greeks are very friendly and communicative.

7. What experiences in Attica would you recommend to a traveller from Asia?
For Asian travellers, I would recommend the Central Market of Athens. They will love it. We adore such markets, where we can find various things, especially fruits or souvenirs. It is also a good place to get to know how the locals live. The market is a way of life and tells us much more than any other place.

8. Share with us five keywords for Attica that come to your mind.
Culture, Ancient, Exotic, Peninsula, Gods

9. “Attica-Greece in a Snapshot” is the tourist slogan of the Attica Region. What are your favourite “snapshots” in Attica?
The best spot in Attica for me is the city of Athens, an amazing blend of modern and ancient architecture, as well as my favourite Acropolis right in the centre of the city. It is a true landmark, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Sounion, Marathon, and enjoying delicious seafood by the sea complete the list of my favourite snapshots in Attica.