This document proposes revitalizing tourism in Rhodes, Greece through developing an innovative mega-attraction inspired by the ancient Colossus of Rhodes statue. It suggests designing a contemporary artwork in the form of a towering structure that symbolizes peace, hope and optimism. An international design competition would select plans for constructing the landmark, which would be funded through donations. The structure could house museums and host conferences, attracting visitors and positioning Rhodes as a globally significant cultural destination.

1. REVITALIZING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS
THROUGH INNOVATIVE MEGA ATTRACTIONS
The Revival of
the Ancient Wonder
of Colossos of Rod0s
George A. Barboutis MSc, MBA, DESS (CORNELL-ESSEC)
Project Manager of the Municipality of Rodos
Member of Tourism Research Body of the Chamber of Dodecanese
Founding Member of SITE Greek Chapter
Director of Marketing of RODOS PALACE HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTRE

2. THE TOURISM OF THE FUTURE
Moving from Products and Services to Experiences
“Destinations will need to reinvent themselves in order to be competitive
and grow their industry in the future. Destinations need to move beyond
offering products and services (hotels and attractions) to inventing,
orchestrating and delivering exceptional experiences to their clients that
exceed their expectations”.
Dr. Auliana Poon
MD of Tourism Intelligence International

3. THE FUTURE OF GREECE AS A TOURISM DESTINATION
How Greece as a tourism
destination can reinvent
itself in order to become
competitive in the future?

4. THE CASE OF RODOS
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
What MEGA-ACTIONS and MEGA-EVENTS would lead
Rodos to enter successfully the tourism of the future?

5. The Revival of Myths
THE REVIVAL OF THE
ANCIENT WONDER OF
COLOSSUS TO A
CURRENT WONDER OF
THE 21st CENTURY

6. • One of the seven wonders of the
ancient world
• Built as a tribute to the Sun God Helios,
protector of the city of Rodos to celebrate
freedom, unity and peace. (292 B.C.)
• Following the failure of siege of Demetrius
Poliorkitis to the island
• Designed by the sculptor Chares of
History of Colossos Lindos (70 feet tall)
(Mastrapas 1993)
“To you, O Sun, the people of Dorian Rodos set up
this bronze statue reaching to Olympus when
they had pacified the waves of war and crowned
their city with the spoils taken from the enemy.
Not only over the seas but also on land did they
kindle the lovely torch of freedom.”
Dedicatory inscription of the Colossos

7. Historical Evidence of Colossos
WHERE DID HE ACTUALLY STAND AND
WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE?
 Scientific evidence is lacking on where he stood and how
exactly he looked.
 It’s a mystery…
 Stirred the fantasy of historians to praise the legendary
statue
 Numerous artists provided drawings according to their
imagination
(Mastrapas 1993)

8. FIELD OF IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
IN THE PAST IN THE FUTURE HAS TO BE
LANDMARK WORLD LANDMARK
WONDER OF THE 21st
ANCIENT WONDER
CENTURY
TRIBUTE TO THE SUN GOD
OF HELIOS, FREEDOM & ECUMENICAL SYMBOL OF
PEACE PEACE, HOPE & OPTIMISM

9. FOR
The creative revival of the wonder in a modern,
contemporary work-of-art that will transform the
invaluable intangible characteristics and convey
the symbolic values of the legendary monument
AGAINST
The recreation of a sterile imitation (replica) of
the ancient wonder referring to anachronistic
and archaeological implications

10. The Concept
To create a contemporary (21st century) wonder
inspired by the Colossos the ancient wonder. It
should be an evolutionary and a modern
successor, borrowing the unique attributes, the
symbolic characteristics and the artistic values of
Colossos, attempting to become a feat of our
century.
It should become a symbol of the Greek civilisation
and should be enriched with a current, diachronic
idealistic content.

11. The Vision
“Just like the Colossos was built as a tribute to
the Sun God of Helios to celebrate freedom and
peace, its successor, standing at the crossroads
of three continents should become Rodos’ and
Greece’s contribution to the world. Emitting
eternal light and symbolising ecumenical world
peace, sending messages of hope and optimism
for the future generations to come”

12. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Artistic Expression / Technical Construction
Artistic Excellence of Global Recognition
and Worldwide Acceptance
Innovative Technological Achievement

13. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL
& DESIGN COMPETITION
or
COMMISSION TO A FAMOUS
ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF
WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION

14. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Location
 Visibility suitable to a grand scale landmark
 Highly visible from air and sea emitting its eternal light
to the four points of the horizon
 Ease of access to visitors without major problems in
transportation
 Avoid accessibility obstacles to the harbour or the
airport of Rodos

15. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Fund Raising Campaign
 Foundations
 Donations
 Subsidies
 Supports
 Collections

16. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Communication Strategy
 Creation of an international media campaign to raise
awareness and interest of the project worldwide
 Mobilisation of Greek and international celebrities
(politicians, artists, intellectuals, actors etc.) to
promote the idea
 Planning and creation of PR events at various stages of
the implementation of the project

17. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Honorary Selection Committee
Distinguished Personalities
under the aegis of the President of the Hellenic Republic
• Worldwide Recognition
• Transparency of Procedures
• Global Acceptance

18. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Future Revenues -
Avoidance of Commercialisation
 Future Revenues should be offered to the constant
maintenance and expansion of the project with
 Actions concerning the dissemination of Greek History
and Hellenic Cultural Heritage
 Creation of a theme Museum of Colossos employing
interactive technologies to enhance guests experience

19. SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION
Future Revenues -
Avoidance of Commercialisation
Future Revenues should be also offered to
 Actions concerning the constant dissemination of the idea of
World Peace
 Establishment of a Cultural Peace Venue (EIΡΗΝΗ) that would
include Amphitheater, Conference Center for organising
Conferences, Gala Dinners and other similar Peace Events

20. CASE STUDIES OF SIMILAR PROJECTS ABROAD
The Recreation of
the ancient Library of Alexandria
In the past: Accumulated the worldwide knowledge of the ancient times

21. The New Library of Alexandria
Created with the mission to recapture the spirit of the original with the aim to be:
• A center of excellence in
the production and
dissemination of current
knowledge and a place of
dialogue, learning and
understanding between
cultures and people,
aspiring also to be
the world’s window on
Egypt and Egypt’s
window on the world, in
the new digital age.

22. The New Library of Alexandria
Cooperation of the
Egyptian Government
with UNESCO
Invitation of a Global
Architectural
Competition
Cost 220.000.000 U.S.
Dollars in year 2002
Funds were raised
from contributions of
27 countries

23. The New Library of Alexandria today possesses:
6 Specialised libraries
4 Museums
1 Planetarium
1 Culturama
8 Academic research centers
15 Permanent exhibitions
4 Art galleries

24. The New Library of Alexandria today possesses:
International
Conference Center
Host of numerous
institutions and
Venue of dozens of
conferences, meetings,
exhibitions and events
Receiving annually
1.500.000 visitors
from all over the world!

25. FUTURE PROJECTS
Rio 2016
Solar City Tower

26. Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

27. Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

28. Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

29. Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

30. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
OF THE PROJECT

31. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT
CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT
Communication Level
 Secures enormous and invaluable publicity for Rodos Island
and Greece that cannot be assessed in monetary terms.
 Repositions in the most dynamic way Rodos and Greece in the
world tourism map.
 Creates increasingly high demand for the destination, opens
new horizons and paves the way for new tourism evolutions.
Artistic Creation Level
Its colossal historical nature, challenges the most distinguished
artists around the world to participate, securing the prestige that
such a landmark deserves.

32. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT
CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT
Technological Level
 Promotes innovation, superseding the conventional methods of
construction.
Foreign Affairs & External Relations
 The implementation of a Global Venue of Peace creates large
pacific opportunities in the wider Mediterranean region.

33. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT
CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT
It can become a pioneering project providing initiative to
start similar creative & innovative cultural and tourism
projects, in all regions of Greece, with its invaluable
historical and mythological wealth.

34. NATIONAL PROFITS
Contributes significantly to the higher
recognition of our national treasures and
appreciation of our cultural heritage,
converting our introverted mentality to
cultural extroversion.
Strengthens the feeling of national pride
and makes us equal successors of our
gracious history and our ancient
predecessors.

35. EPILOGUE
It represents a moral duty to historical
Rodos, an ethical debt to mythical
Greece and an honorary obligation to
humanity to offer a memorable
achievement of international scale.
Much like the Olympic Games, it is
something so Hellenic that the whole
country has to benefit and at the same
time so ecumenical that the whole
world has to gain!
INTERNATIONAL APPEAL