Born in Crete, Gina Xanthaki grew up in an area of Greece where tourism thrives for at least eight months a year. She completed her studies on classical music in Athens at the age of 17, still in high school. Α year after she started her first business, a private conservatory in Crete, before moving to USA in order to study finance at CSUS in Sacramento, California.
She started working as project manager in real estate, mainly in commercial constructions all over Greece. In 2004 she decided to focus on Elounda, Crete, getting involved with the development in the area. Seeing the opportunity to create something exceptional in the village of Plaka, located in the stunning setting of the Mirabello bay, right opposite the island of Spinalonga, in 2010 she decided to start her own company, since her family had a significant long time experience in project development.
Having a family background in Elounda/Agios Nikolaos region the project of the Island View Villas was more than a commercial venture, it was a vision of personal significance.
Gina Xanthaki, CEO of IVV LTP has won three important awards for the innovative concept of the Island View Villas from “International Property Awards for Europe and Africa”, announced at a special event in London, in association with Bloomberg Television: two five-star awards in “Best Architecture (Multiple Units)” and “Best Interior Design”and one Highly Commended Award in “Best Development”, all under the “Multiresidential Category”.
In 2014 Gina Xanthaki released a unique photo album, “Spinalonga through my eyes”, by LIVANI publishing, to support the candidacy of Spinalonga as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The book was dedicated to the memory of her beloved father, Eleftherios Xantakis. A year after the coffee table book won the Art Award at the Public Book Awards, awards given by readers.
Gina Xathaki is the of president of Kalidon cultural association, an association focusing on protecting the area of Plaka, Crete, and expanding its cultural horizons –with the vision to create the Spinalonga Museum in Agios Nikolaos region. The association since 2013 organizes Kalidonia, an annual open sea swimming competition that attracts professional and amateur athletes from all over the world.
Gina Xantaki is a single mother by choice. Her daughter Danae was born in 2014. The following year Gina wrote the children’s book An Alternative Family, by LIVANI publishing -a lovely short story that describes in simple words her journey to motherhood.