Through our research in Swedish newspapers of the time, from the period during which he served as director of the Cyprus Tourism Organization in Stockholm, but also through the interview he kindly granted us in greek News and Radio in Florida St, we met an authentic and selfless patriot, a man who firmly placed the homeland above all personal interests.
Gabriel Potamitis, a simple, noble and at the same time deeply authentic gentleman, worked for decades with consistency, ethics and dedication to promote Cyprus in the Scandinavian countries. His contribution was decisive in strengthening the tourist flow from the northern countries to Cyprus, especially in an extremely critical period after the Turkish invasion of 1974. At the same time, he stood out for his firm and well-documented stance against the efforts to promote the occupied territories in the international tourism arena, consistently defending the international legitimacy and the image of the Republic of Cyprus.
Of particular interest are his personal relationships with important figures in Swedish society, such as Princess Lillian, with whom he maintained a friendly relationship in the context of his presence and activity at international tourism fairs in Sweden. His interview constitutes a valuable historical testimony for an entire era of Cyprus-Sweden relations, but also for the essential role of the Cypriot diaspora in northern Europe.
You lived in Sweden from 1971 to 2012. Describe your experiences a little and how you ended up becoming the director of the Cyprus Tourism Organization in Stockholm?
I studied economics at Stockholm University. Then I worked for some travel agencies and around 1980 they wanted a manager.nfor the CTO office in Stockholm. I sent my papers to Cyprus and they called me for interview. Of course I had the best standards, with the Swedish, with the experience, with the travel agencies. But we know the media in Cyprus is the key factor.
How did you finally get the job?
When they asked me about the salary, I asked for a lower salary than what they were offering. So the salary was the reason they gave me the job.
What were your responsibilities as director?
My responsibilities were to promote tourism in the Nordic countries. That is, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Many people confuse the Nordic countries with the Scandinavian countries, which are only three: Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Finland is not included, although many people think so.
Then they gave me all three Baltic countries: Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, when they opened up after the fall of the Soviet Union around 1990. Slowly we started working with these countries as well, and tourism developed quite well.
We always had very large numbers from the Nordic countries. In terms of population, we had around 400.000 visitors and were the second largest market after the United Kingdom.
Were there any individuals who particularly helped the development of tourism?
In Denmark we had a travel agency with Dinos Christodoulides, who worked not only for his job, but because he truly loved Cyprus. He was a patriot. He could have lost money, but he promoted tourism to Cyprus. I knew him personally and I am very sorry that we did not help him as much as we should have.
How did you work to promote tourism then?
When I held an event, I never held events for 100–200 people. Small groups. Quality. To feel like they are at home.
Talk to them. Ask them what they want, what they like. That's how I met them all. That's how I became friends with them. Simple moves. But to find the secret you have to give character.
What did the Swedes say about Cyprus back then?
At first, Sweden only knew about the sun and the sea. That was known.
After 1974, organized efforts to develop tourism to Cyprus began and the travel agency played a particularly important role. Pericles, which began traveling to Cyprus around 1977–1978.
The big movement began around the early 80s towards Cyprus and from year to year the increase was tremendous. We had reached around 120.000 Swedes and around 120.000 from Finland.
Where did tourism from Sweden begin in Cyprus?
Tourism from Sweden began in Limassol.
As strange as it may seem. After the invasion, as I told you before, Pericles Vrechos began traveling to Cyprus in Limassol. Before the invasion, it was only Famagusta because of the UN.
They didn't have any Swedes in Limassol. After the invasion, they found Limassol and started.
Unfortunately, however, the Lebanon war happened around '90 and our hoteliers kicked out the Swedes. And then the Swedes were moved to Ayia Napa. That's why they left Limassol. That was the reason.
Did you have good relations with Swedes?
My relations with all the Swedes were very good. They trusted me so much that they even gave me the codes to their offices so I could enter freely. My house was always open to them.
Were there any complaints from Swedish visitors?
At first, there were, mainly for the beaches, cleanliness and restaurants. But little by little, everything improved and in the end we became one of the best destinations.
“Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean” Gabriel Potamitis
How important was sports tourism?
I put a lot of emphasis on sports tourism. With the help of Lakis Avraamidis we started sending teams for training. The first women's team went around 1986. Then we sent about 90 teams from Scandinavia. We asked for two stadiums in Ayia Napa for use by the Swedish Football Association but the suggestion was not heard. Then they went to La Manga in Spain and we missed a great opportunity. Unfortunately.
Why has winter tourism decreased?
I don't know the reason. We could multiply it. I remember that Dinos Christodoulides had paid over a million Danish kroner to charter a plane. I was begging her Cyprus Airways to fly in the winter. I finally managed to get four planes in through tour Operators.
Which were the biggest competing countries?
Spain first and then Greece. I had many contacts with the directors of the Greek National Tourism Organization. I was also president of the ANTOR (Association of National Tourist Organizations) in Sweden for many years.
Were there any difficulties due to the efforts to promote the occupied territories?
I never allowed direct flights from the Northern countries to the occupied territories. I was threatened by Turkish Cypriots along with Swedes, but I did my job.
Do you remember any typical incidents?
At the Gothenburg exhibition, the occupied countries participated in the Turkish pavilion. I requested a meeting with the president of the exhibition, explained the United Nations resolutions to him, and asked for their participation to stop. So in the end, they were forced to leave.
Another case was in Finland, where a private office was advertising the occupied territories. I explained the problem and that same evening I took down all the signs myself.
How do you see the all-inclusive model?
It exists in many countries and we cannot change it. But we have to give the tourist something else to get out of the hotel. In the past, there were daily excursions to archaeological sites, churches and wineries. In Limassol, for example, five buses a day went to a wine factory.
What are we missing from tourism today?
I am sad first of all because I don't see the tourists we should have had. It takes will and struggle, always with the homeland in mind.
Meeting the Princess Lillian
Had you met Princess Lilia personally?
Yes, Princess Lilia and I had a special relationship, which I had met through a friend. I had a very friendly relationship with her. She was also the honored person who opened the great international exhibition in Gothenburg and, as usual, she had to make a tour of the various pavilions. She never passed by without passing by my pavilion. And if she didn't pass by sometimes, she would ask me: "Where is the Cypriot pavilion?", so that she could stop by, see us, greet us, talk.
Did you meet outside of official events?
So friendly, that I would meet her and personally buy her wines at her house.
What did he say about Cyprus?
We didn't talk about politics. She loved Cyprus, but I didn't want to put her in an awkward position. So we didn't talk about politics. Every time she thanked me very much, because she really, really liked Cypriot wines. That's why I wanted to thank her and, whenever I could, I would take her to her house.
Did he want to visit Cyprus?
Yes, she wanted to come to Cyprus. Unfortunately, it was one of my own failures that I was unable to bring her to Cyprus and certainly not through any fault of my own. Circumstances brought it about that way, because I could not send her by charter and we had to bring her by regular flight, which unfortunately for various reasons was not possible at some point.
“Sweden was a paradise back then”
How do you remember Sweden back then?
Sweden was the best country in the world back then. It was paradise. I really mean paradise when I say paradise.
But unfortunately, they followed the wrong tactic there too with all the foreigners they brought in. And from what I've heard, there have now been various ghettos just outside Stockholm that even the police are afraid of. Like the Rinkeby for example.
Was it like that then?
No. It was a good area back then. Rinkeby. It was just built. It was a nice area.
Then they slowly gathered. Gerva area. Cystcombining luxury accommodations with the potential for significant expansion. Cyst.
What do you say now that Sweden has threats from Russia?
There have always been threats. It's not just now.
I remember that every year or so there were submarines of foreign origin, of unknown origin, which were Russian.
“Cyprus is not a war-loving country”
When you went, what were Cyprus-Sweden relations like?
If I start from the time of Palme, who was a social democrat and shouted for small states in the case of Cyprus, but the opposite seemed to happen. After the invasion, he neither sent aid to Cyprus, nor did he talk about Cyprus. Instead, he invited Ecevit to Sweden and they made a mess of it.
Do you believe that at some point Cyprus and Sweden will become good allies?
I hope so, but unfortunately in Cyprus we have to use the means we have, the policy we have to make the Swedes understand that Cyprus is not a war-loving country. He only wants freedom. Nothing else.
photo olliwittmann, https://pixabay.com
