Ithaca opposes ‘Islands of Odysseus’ tourism branding proposal

The Municipality of Ithaca has expressed strong opposition to a proposal by the Vice Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, Savvas Koulouris, to brand the region as the ‘Islands of Odysseus’. The proposal was submitted ahead of an international tourism exhibition in London, aiming to leverage the global recognition of the Homeric hero to enhance the region's tourism identity.

Dionysis Stanitsas, the Mayor of Ithaca, stated that the historical and symbolic connection between Odysseus and Ithaca is unique and cannot be transferred to a broader tourism brand for all Ionian Islands. The municipality emphasized that decisions affecting the history and identity of Ithaca should not be made without the island's direct participation. The debate occurs as interest in the Odyssey rises due to a new cinematic adaptation by Christopher Nolan.