Pieria is strengthening its presence as a tourist destination as it opens the curtain on the new season.

The region is presenting a fresh face, aiming to expand the visitor experience by blending gastronomy with accommodation and further enhancing its tourism profile.

Prompted by the “Blooming Cherry Trees of Pieria,” journalists from leading Greek media (newspapers, TV channels) and senior executives from major Athenian travel agencies—always looking for new destinations for their clients—discovered the renewed appeal of Pieria. This experience is expected to become a benchmark in elevating the area as a destination, showcasing Pieria to both Greek and international audiences.

The familiarization trip for journalists and travel agents was organized by the Tourism Office of the Regional Unit of Pieria, in collaboration with the Pieria Tourism Development and Promotion Organization (POTAP), as part of the “Blooming Cherry Trees of Pieria” initiative. This two-day event, held on April 5 and 6, brought together the Regional Unit of Pieria, the municipalities of Katerini and Pydna-Kolindros, the Pieria Chamber of Commerce, and the Rachi Agricultural Cooperative “Saint Luke.”

The guests were welcomed by Ms. Sofia Mavridou, Deputy Regional Governor of Pieria, who noted:

“In the Regional Unit of Pieria, showcasing our region’s unique advantages is always high on our agenda. That’s why we actively support major events in Pieria such as the ‘Blooming Cherry Trees’. With our archaeological and religious monuments, beautiful natural setting, opportunities for outdoor activities, and distinctive local flavors, Pieria offers a broad spectrum of experiences. Our constant goal is to establish Pieria as a year-round tourism destination.”

During the three-day trip, guests participated in activities that closely linked the local community with agriculture and sustainable development throughout the greater Pieria area.

The journey began among the cherry orchards, where local producers and agronomists in Kolindros presented traditional cultivation methods and old regional cherry varieties. Attendees were then briefed on the importance of these local varieties for agronomy and tradition. After the orchard visits, participants enjoyed lunch in the square of Kolindros, sampling local cherry delicacies and other highlights of the area’s rich gastronomy. A special dinner followed on the evening of Saturday, April 5, at an exemplary agritourism venue in Katerini Municipality.

On Sunday, April 6, the group visited the “Mastodontas” Nature and Human Friends Club, where they toured the Mastodon Museum of Neokaisareia—a unique treasure trove of history and natural science, perfect for paleontology enthusiasts as well as tourists seeking something different. The day continued with activities at the Rachi Agricultural Cooperative “Saint Luke,” emphasizing the value of local producers working together.

Over the two-day “Blooming Cherry Trees of Pieria” event, participants had the chance to engage with Greek National Tourist Organization President Ms. Angela Gerekou, Deputy Regional Governor Ms. Sofia Mavridou, Katerini Mayor Mr. Ioannis Ntoumos, Dion-Olympus Mayor Mr. Evangelos Geroliolios, Pydna-Kolindros Mayor Mr. Christos Kombatsiaris, POTAP President Mr. Giorgos Karalis, Pieria Chamber of Commerce President Mr. Konstantinos Pitsias, Rachi Agricultural Cooperative President Mr. Dimitris Ntouros, Katerini Deputy Mayor for Tourism and Culture Ms. Elina Diamantopoulou, Pydna-Kolindros Deputy Mayor for Tourism Ms. Maria Navrozidou, and POTAP Director Mr. Vasilis Dimou.

The trip concluded on Sunday afternoon, with the visiting journalists expressing their enthusiasm for the breathtaking “Blooming Cherry Trees” spectacle that Pieria has to offer.

Believing that the power of journalism is an important lever for promoting and highlighting the comparative advantages of Pieria, the Pierian Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (P.O.T.A.P.) invited, hosted, guided, and informed representatives of the country’s leading nationwide media outlets.

On March 8–9–10, 2024, the Organization’s initiative was carried out with a series of on-site visits by journalists to areas and institutional bodies of Pieria that reflect not only the tourism identity but also the broader character of the region.

Based in a hotel unit in Leptokarya, where the first meeting took place, the press representatives were welcomed and briefed on the operational program of the three-day tour by their hosts. The first visit took place on the afternoon of Friday, March 8, 2024, in Litochoro.

At the reception were His Eminence Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon, and the Deputy Mayor of Dion-Olympos, Sofia Zourzoura.

At the foothills of the mythical Mount Olympus, the tour and briefing began in the Council Chamber of the Municipality of Dion-Olympos and at the Maritime Museum with its great naval tradition, with the evening concluding with a local wine tasting—an experience dedicated to the senses.

The Saturday, March 9, 2024 program included visits to areas in northern Pieria, within the Municipality of Pydna-Kolindros, guided and accompanied by Deputy Mayor Maria Navrozidou. The day began at the archaeological site of Pydna, from where the Apostle Paul set sail on his second missionary journey.

This was followed by visits and tours of the Museum Repository of Makrygialos, with remarkable finds from the cities of Pydna and Methoni dating from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period, and to a winery and vineyards in Kitros.

Next came an interesting stop in Aiginio, the “city of storks,” for a presentation on the “Stories of the Storks” by the Association of Professionals of Aiginio, followed by a visit to Kolindros to explore the local Folklore Museum, the Holy Monastery of Saint Athanasios, and the churches of Saint Paraskevi and Saint George.

On the third and final day, Sunday, March 10, 2024, the media delegation visited, in the morning, the headquarters of the Olympus Festival Organization, where they were informed about this nationally renowned cultural institution by its president, Mr. Grigoris Papachristos, the Deputy Regional Governor of Pieria, Ms. Sofia Mavridou, and the Deputy Mayor of Katerini, Ms. Elina Diamantopoulou.

The “journalistic tour” of Pieria concluded with visits to Elatochori and its Ski Center in the Pieria mountains, and to the traditional settlement of Palaios Panteleimonas, known as the “balcony” of Olympus, with its remarkable examples of traditional architecture.

Alongside discovering the natural, historical, and archaeological wealth of Pieria, the hosted journalists also met, were briefed, and exchanged views not only with Deputy Regional Governor of Pieria, Sofia Mavridou—who promotes and supports such initiatives—but also with the president of P.O.T.A.P., Giorgos Karalis, members of the Organization’s administration, as well as local government officials and other institutional and productive bodies of the region.

In conclusion, the Pierian Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (P.O.T.A.P.), guided by extroversion and foresight, put into practice the modern philosophy required today in the field of information and promotion.

The three-day event, titled “Fam Trip” (familiarization trip for journalists), as a means of promoting tourist destinations, will undoubtedly contribute to the further enhancement of Pieria’s tourism, along with the respective economic and other benefits.

The Deputy Regional Governor of Pieria, Ms. Sofia Mavridou, and the President of P.O.T.A.P., Mr. Giorgos Karalis, expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the press delegation, stating that similar initiatives will continue both within Greece and internationally.