Harry Theoharis, front-runner for the position of Secretary General of the UN Tourism, today unveiled his reform plan aimed at ending bureaucratic inefficiencies and reinvigorating UN Tourism as a results-driven and wholly accountable force in the global travel industry. Theoharis’s plan comes at a critical time when the tourism sector demands measurable action and practical solutions to navigate complex global challenges and UN Tourism’s value is under increasing scrutiny.
“The time is now for UN Tourism to make the quantum leap from bureaucratic machine to dynamic driver of real change. We cannot afford to be complacent or complicit in sustaining UN Tourism’s recent record of excusing ineffective results with bureaucracy; we must act decisively to create unquestionable value for the global tourism community.”
Theoharis’s reform agenda is built on three foundational pillars designed to enhance effectiveness, accountability, and value:
1. Ending the Tyranny of Bureaucracy
Theoharis calls for a radical overhaul of UN Tourism’s management model, promoting an agile, tech-driven approach that prioritizes swift decision-making whilst restoring consensus and transparency. Theoharis has an impressive track record in such reforms and draws on his experience as Greece’s Deputy Minister of Finance during a period of economic crisis, when he successfully navigated bureaucratic challenges and streamlined processes. “I will bring this relentless energy and vocation for public service to UN Tourism, ensuring that efficiency and accountability are at the heart of every decision,” he emphasized.
2. Delivering Real Value to Member States
Under Theoharis’s leadership, UN Tourism will, at last, transition from a ceremonial organization to a proactive engine of change. He commits to focus on actionable initiatives that provide direct support to member states, including:
- Tailored advisory services to address specific tourism sector challenges.
- Enhanced access to funding and investment pipelines for critical infrastructure development.
- Digital transformation initiatives designed to future-proof the industry.
- Expanded capacity-building programs to equip tourism professionals with cutting-edge skills.
Moreover, Theoharis is committed to ensuring financial transparency by implementing annual performance audits, establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs), and creating independent oversight mechanisms. “Every member state must see tangible value from their investment in UN Tourism, or we are failing them,” he stated “It saddens but does not surprise me to see how countries like UK, USA, Australia or Canada have concluded that they were inadvertently investing in bureaucracy and personal politics and have withdrawn their membership as a result. I am confident that my reform will reverse this trend by transforming the effectiveness and thus uniting and growing the membership.”
3. Strengthening Internal Capacity
Recognizing that meaningful transformation begins within, Theoharis will prioritize the recruitment and retention of a dedicated workforce at UN Tourism. His plan includes implementing performance-based contracts and conducting regular assessments to ensure leadership effectiveness. “The right people can make the impossible possible,” he asserted. “I will build a team that is capable, committed, and accountable, focused on delivering results.”
A CALL TO ACTION: REFORM AND PERFORM OR FADE INTO IRRELEVANCE
Theoharis is unequivocal in his message: “I am not here to preserve a broken system. I am here to dismantle inefficiency and rebuild UN Tourism into a formidable force for real change.” He pledges to obliterate the stagnation that has paralyzed the organization, replacing outdated structures with a responsive model that respects the organs of governance, prioritizes action, transparency, and measurable impact.
“Every dollar spent, every initiative undertaken, and every decision made must reflect our commitment to delivering real benefits for our members and the industry that they serve,” Theoharis emphasized. “UN Tourism will no longer be a playground for political placeholders. I will implement strict oversight and measurable outcomes to ensure that those in power deliver real results—or step aside.”
The time for empty promises is over. The time for real transformation is now. With his unwavering commitment to accountability, innovation, and collaboration, Harry Theoharis is poised to lead UN Tourism into a new era, ensuring it not only survives but thrives as a beacon of progress in the global tourism landscape.
About Harry Theoharis
Mr. Theoharis holds an MEng (Hon) in Software Engineering from Imperial College, London, and has held high-ranking positions in private sector companies in Greece and abroad. He has also worked in start-up companies.
During 2011-2012, Mr. Theoharis served as Secretary General for Information Systems and is known for introducing new digital services to assist the public, helping to reduce bureaucracy and its associated costs.
He later (2013-14) served as Secretary General for Public Revenues at the Greek Finance Ministry. There, he succeeded in meeting budget revenues and producing a fiscal surplus. He is also known for launching the www.publicrevenue.gr platform to increase transparency in public administration.
From 2019 to 2021, he served as Minister of Tourism, where he focused on rejuvenating Greece’s tourism sector, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting sustainable practices and digital transformation. He was also the Parliamentary Spokesperson for the New Democracy political party from 2021 to 2023.
In the national elections of May and June 2023, he was re-elected Member of Parliament with the New Democracy political party. On June 27, 2023, Mr. Theoharis was appointed by Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis as Deputy Minister of Finance of Greece for taxation matters, a position he held until June 2024. During his tenure, he prioritized transparency, efficiency, and fairness in the tax system, while fostering an investment-friendly environment.
About UN Tourism
UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025.