{
  "id": 475458,
  "title": "Ithaca bets on hometown hero Odysseus for tourism boom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/ithaca-bets-on-hometown-hero-odysseus-for-tourism-boom",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/08/10/ithaca-bets-on-hometown-hero-odysseus-for-tourism-boom/230809"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On a ferry docked on the Greek island of Ithaca, Giorgia Ongarato expressed her excitement about the upcoming tourism boom inspired by the film The Odyssey. An Italian lawyer, Ongarato studied the epic poem in her youth and donned a T-shirt reading \"Odyssey\" in ancient Greek, eager to share her passion with visitors. While the famed film was not filmed on Ithaca, local businesses and officials anticipate a significant increase in tourism. Far from Greece's popular tourist destinations, Ithaca's rugged landscape and serene bays offer a unique setting for history and mythology enthusiasts. Despite some controversy surrounding the film's use of Greek locations, the town of Vathy, with its statues of Odysseus and Homer, is already buzzing with excitement. Archaeologist Spyros Couvaras predicts a surge in visitors drawn to the island's rich literary history, though he acknowledges that the film is merely a catalyst for the renewed interest.",
  "summary": "ITHACA, Aug 10 —Standing on the ferry as it waits to dock on the Greek island of Ithaca, Giorgia Ongarato is only...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}