The ties that bind are strong within Greek families, so it’s no surprise that the Sbokos family of Crete should cling to its Greek roots, much as their stunning Blue Palace Resort & Spa clings to the rocky hillside of Crete’s famed Elounda coastline. At the helm of Blue Palace is 38-year-old Agapi Sbokos, a dynamic proponent for tourism in Greece and daughter of Yiannis Sbokos, the founder of Sbokos Hotel Group, which owns and operates five Greek hotels.

We asked Ms. Sbokos to reveal some inside secrets regarding this spectacular Luxury Collection resort, as well as her thoughts on the current tourism situation in her economically turbulent country.

Hideaways International: What brought you to Crete, and how did Blue Palace Resort & Spa evolve?