Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Bill Gates directly praised the Greece From Home Initiative – these quotes were in fact from Inc.com writer Justin Bariso that were subsequently wrongly attributed to Bill Gates in the Greek media.

Bill Gates has hailed recent initiatives developed to adapt to the “new normal” imposed by the coronavirus crisis, such as teleworking and virtual software innovations, with emotional intelligence consultant Justin Bariso arguing in Inc.com that a platform launched by the Greek National Tourism Organization is one such “brilliant” response to the challenges of the crisis indicated by the US tech mogul.

“The tourism industry is definitely one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. But maybe you can learn from ‘Greece from Home,’ a brilliant initiative by the Greek National Tourism Organization, in cooperation with Google,” Justin Bariso wrote in Inc magazine commenting on an interview by LinkedIn Editor-in-Chief Daniel Roth with Gates on world responses to the pandemic and the economic and social recovery that needs to come after.

The “Greece from Home” platform was launched at the start of April by the GNTO and Marketing Greece, with the support of Google, and is aimed at reinforcing the country’s positive image during the Covid-19 pandemic by helping people around the world stay in touch with Greek culture and be inspired by the country’s attractions.

The initiative is also aimed at tourism professionals, helping them enhance their digital skills with the help of Google via the “Grow Greek Tourism Online” seminars, which are organized with the support of the Greek Ministry of Tourism. More than 1,000 people signed up to participate in the group seminars in the first 10 days of their launch.

“This site is also built on the principle of content marketing: using great online content to create a relationship with potential customers. Through YouTube videos and other content, creators give viewers a chance to tour archeological sites and museums, experience beautiful scenes of nature, and even take ‘walking’ tours or visit restaurants – all virtually, of course,” said Bariso of the initiative.

“Greece from Home” further leverages YouTube, with videos featuring popular figures including tennis ace Stefanos Tsitsipas and NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Done right, your content might be able to bring in revenue through ads or product sales. And at the very least, it’s a way to keep in touch with your audience until they are willing (and able) to travel again,” he added.

Greek media had earlier attributed the quotes to Gates as part of his interview with LinkedIn

This article was originally published at ekathimerini.com.