One of Greece’s greatest exports

The appointment of Haris Theocharis as minister of tourism is very welcome. It is also challenging. This is the same Theocharis who was head-hunted from the private sector to oversee the system of tax collection in 2013-14. He resigned due, according to officialese, to "political interference." He then became a political animal, wandering among the independent parties until last year he was lured into New Democracy.

As head of what is probably Greece's most important ministry, Theocharis has identified several areas where tourism can be both developed and protected - a difficult balance to achieve. Recent information relating to the emergent site at Philippi indicates that there is a law of diminishing returns for increasing access to ancient monuments. The more infrastructure you provide to facilitate visitors, the greater the danger of environmental damage. And the plight...