3rd Greek Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop Successfully Held in the Belgian Market

 

With the participation of 63 travel agents and 14 journalists, the 3rd Greek Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop was successfully held in the Belgian market on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Ghent Marriott Hotel.

During the event, which took place in a market full of potential for Greece, a flurry of business meetings was held between Greek tourism businesses and destinations and some of the most prominent tour operators in Belgium.

As evidenced by the strong turnout, interest in the Greek tourism offering was exceptionally high. Belgian travel agents showed particular eagerness to explore new destinations in Greece, a promising sign for a particularly positive 2024 for the Belgian travel market.

The event was organized by Tourism Media & Events (TME) with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Rural Development & Food, and the Embassy of Greece in Brussels.

As part of the event, Mr. Tzanetos Karantzis, Head of the Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs of Greece in Belgium, outlined the framework of Greek–Belgian relations in the fields of tourism and agri-food, and spoke about their encouraging prospects for further growth.

The Honored Region was the Region of Central Macedonia, while other participating regions included the Region of Crete, the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, the Municipality of Rethymno, the Municipality of Paros, among others.

Official Air Travel Sponsor of the event was Aegean Airlines, and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels participated as an event sponsor.

Following the conclusion of the B2B meetings, the event featured presentations from the Honored Region of Central Macedonia by Ms. Argyro Papaioannou from the Tourism Promotion & Marketing Department of the Region, the Region of Crete by Mr. Nikos Alexakis from the Region’s Tourism Directorate, and the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace by Ms. Patty Konstantinidou from the Tourism Promotion Department.

Finally, it is noted that the upcoming Tourism Media & Events activities promoting Greek tourism in 2023 include events in New York, targeting the North American luxury travel market, on November 16, and in Warsaw on December 13.

 

A Scent of Greece in Stockholm on April 27, 2023

The 1st Alternative Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in the Swedish market, organized by Tourism Media & Events, was successfully completed a few days ago.

The event took place in Stockholm, a highly promising market for Greece, and was crowned with absolute success, as a series of business meetings took place between Greek tourism enterprises and destinations and the most prominent tour operators based in the broader area.

As the first significant tourism event after the pandemic, it managed to perfectly “bridge” the cultures of the two nations—cultures that, in essence, share many common elements, such as a love for the sun, the sea, hospitality, and good food.

This was confirmed both by the Swedish journalists—who were impressed by the regional presentations and the excellent organization of the event with Greek flavors—and by the highly successful and constructive meetings between Greek representatives and Swedish tourism professionals.

From start to finish, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful, as only Greek hospitality can offer, while new bridges of cooperation were built.

It is worth noting that the 1st Greek Alternative Tourism and Gastronomy Workshop in Sweden was attended by 47 tourism professionals and journalists.

The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Rural Development & Food.

The honored region was the Region of Western Greece, while other participants included the Region of Attica, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Region of Crete, the Loutraki Tourism Organization, the Municipality of Kos, among others. Official airline sponsor was Aegean Airlines and supporting sponsor was the “Greek Breakfast” initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

The event was opened by Mr. Pavlos Mourmas, Director of the GNTO office in Scandinavia, while a welcome address was delivered on behalf of the Greek Embassy in Stockholm by Mr. Pavlos Olziersky, Head of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy.

Mr. Giorgos Kontorinis, Vice President of Solna, also welcomed the participants, making significant remarks regarding the dynamic presence of Hellenism in Sweden and the strong ties between the two nations.

Following the conclusion of the B2B meetings, presentations were delivered by Dr. Lavrentis Vasileiadis for the honored Region of Western Greece, by Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism for the Region of Crete, by Mr. Andreas Kiskinis for the Region of Central Macedonia, and by Ms. Maria Pantelous for the Region of Attica.

Lastly, it should be noted that the upcoming events of Tourism Media & Events in 2023 promoting Greek tourism will be held in Amman, Jordan on May 11, in Ghent for the Benelux market on October 26, in New York for the North American luxury travel market on November 14, and in Warsaw on December 12.

 

Greece Gains Ground in the Jordanian Market

The 1st Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop was successfully completed a few days ago at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel in Amman, Jordan, organized by Tourism Media & Events.

The event welcomed 107 Jordanian participants representing 67 travel agencies, along with 11 food market retailers, reflecting the high level of interest in the Greek market. In addition, senior representatives from the Jordan Tourism Board were also in attendance.

From the beginning to the end, the atmosphere was warm and joyful – the kind only Greek hospitality and gastronomy can create – laying the foundation for new collaborative bridges that are expected to yield results in the near future.

It is worth noting that the Jordanian participants showed strong interest in several Greek destinations that combine entertainment, shopping, and high-quality hospitality infrastructure. There was also significant enthusiasm regarding charter flights to destinations offering gaming opportunities, with casino tourism being of particular interest.

The 1st Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Amman was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

The event, held in a market that shows strong promise for Greece, was widely regarded as a great success—especially on the tourism front—as it featured a series of business meetings between Greek tourism enterprises and destinations with leading Jordanian travel agents.

The Workshop was officially opened by the Ambassador of Greece to Jordan, Mrs. Eleftheria Galathianaki, who, in her welcome address, highlighted the strong ties between the two nations and the potential for economic cooperation in multiple sectors.

The honored destination at the 1st Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Amman was the Region of Central Greece, presented by Mrs. Marianna Liaskou, Head of Tourism for the Region. This was followed by a presentation from the Region of Crete by Dr. Kyriakos G. Kotsoglou, Deputy Governor for Tourism & e-Government and member of the Regional Economic Committee of Crete. Next, the Region of Attica was represented by Mrs. Athina Kolyva, Head of the Tourism Directorate, and finally, Mrs. Argyro Papaioannou from the Directorate of Tourism highlighted the unique offerings of the Region of Central Macedonia.

Lastly, it should be noted that the upcoming Tourism Media & Events workshops promoting Greek tourism in 2023 will be held in Ghent for the Benelux market on October 26, in New York for the North American luxury market on November 14, and in Warsaw on December 12.

 

Greece ranked among the top destinations for France in 2023

The 2nd Greek Tourism and Gastronomy Workshop for the French market, organized by Tourism Media & Events, was successfully completed a few days ago.

The event took place in Lyon, a particularly promising market for Greece, and was crowned with great success. It featured a flurry of business meetings between Greek tourism enterprises and destinations and leading travel agents and tour operators based in the wider region.

Interest in the 2023 tourism season was exceptionally high, as reflected by the strong participation, with French agents showing particular enthusiasm for new Greek destinations — a promising sign for a very positive year ahead from the French travel market.

A total of 37 travel agents attended the 2nd Greek Tourism and Gastronomy Workshop in France. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and the Embassy of Greece in France.

The honored region was Central Macedonia, joined by the Regions of Thessaly and Crete, as well as the Loutraki Tourism Organization, the Municipality of Karystos, and others. The official airline sponsor was Aegean Airlines, while the “Greek Breakfast” initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels served as event sponsor.

The workshop was honored with a greeting from H.E. Mr. Dimitrios Zevelakis, Ambassador of Greece to France, who highlighted the strong bonds between the two nations and referred to the growing momentum of the French tourism market toward Greece, expressing optimism for an excellent year ahead in 2023.

Following the B2B meetings, presentations were delivered by Ms. Marianna Skoularika on behalf of the Region of Central Macedonia, Mr. Argyris Mergias representing the Region of Thessaly, and Mr. Nikos Alexakis, Head of Tourism Directorate for the Region of Crete.

Upcoming Tourism Media & Events initiatives promoting Greek tourism in 2023 include workshops in Stockholm on April 27, Amman (Jordan) on May 11, Ghent for the Benelux market on October 26, New York for the North American luxury market on November 14, and Warsaw on December 12.

Greece in the spotlight of the Balkan market

A sharp rise in tourism arrivals from the Balkan market to Greece is expected in 2023. According to industry experts, road arrivals are anticipated to increase by more than 40% compared to 2022, primarily from Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

This positive trend was further confirmed by the Road Show organized by Tourism Media & Events across the three previously mentioned countries, where demand for Greece as a travel destination proved remarkably strong.

At the same time, there was clear intent to expand both scheduled and charter flights from Romania and Serbia to various destinations in Greece.

The first stop of the “Road Show” | Greek Tourism Workshop by Tourism Media & Events took place in Belgrade on January 26, featuring the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace as the honored region. Fifteen Greek tourism enterprises participated, holding more than 310 B2B meetings with leading tour operators and travel agents from Belgrade.

On January 25, a press dinner was held to promote Greece as a destination. The event was attended and addressed by H.E. Ms. Maria Levanti, Ambassador of Greece to Serbia; Mr. Aleksandar Senicic, Director of the Serbian Association of Travel Agents; Mr. Miodrag Popovic, CEO and General Director of the Belgrade Tourism Organization; and Mr. Athanasios Tsonis, Deputy Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace.

The “Road Show” then continued to Romania, specifically Bucharest, on January 31. Forty-two Romanian travel agents and tour operators engaged in productive meetings with thirteen Greek participants, including the Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace and tourism businesses from a range of Greek destinations.

A total of around 320 meetings took place, while on the previous evening, a press dinner was held to further showcase Greek tourism offerings. Greetings were delivered by H.E. Ms. Sofia Grammata, Ambassador of Greece to Romania, and Mr. Giorgos Stafylakis, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) in Romania.

The final stop of the TME Greek Tourism Workshop in the Balkans was in Bulgaria, where 19 Greek representatives joined the event in Sofia on February 6. Participants included the Regions of Central Greece and Eastern Macedonia & Thrace.

More than 410 meetings were conducted, yielding highly promising results for Greece.

The event was attended and addressed by Mr. Dimitris Michas, Head of the Economic & Commercial Affairs Office at the Embassy of Greece in Sofia; Mr. Georgi Alipiev, representative of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Tourism; Ms. Dimitrina Goranova, President of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators & Travel Agents (ABTTA); Mr. Athanasios Tsonis, Deputy Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace; and Ms. Marianna Liaskou, Deputy Head of the Tourism Department of the Region of Central Greece.

Optimistic forecasts from Poland for Greek tourism in 2023

The Greek–Polish Tourism and Gastronomy Workshop, organized by Tourism Media & Events, concluded last Tuesday with resounding success, having facilitated 337 business meetings between Greek tourism enterprises and destinations and Poland’s leading tour operators.

Interest in the 2023 tourism season was exceptionally high, with Polish agents showing marked attention to new Greek destinations — a promising sign for a very positive year ahead.

From Poland, 64 travel agents took part, while Greece was represented by 23 destinations and tourism businesses. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Embassy of Greece in Poland, and the Central Union of Chambers of Greece.

The honored region was Central Greece, joined by Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, Crete, Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Rethymno, the Municipality of Nafpaktia, and the Municipality of Chalki. Aegean Airlines served as the official airline sponsor, with additional sponsorship from the “Greek Breakfast” initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop took place at the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel and was honored by the presence and greeting of H.E. Mr. Michail Efstratios Daratzikis, Ambassador of Greece to Warsaw, and Ms. Nicoletta Nikolopoulou, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Following the B2B sessions, presentations were delivered by Ms. Marianna Liaskou, Deputy Head of the Tourism Department of Central Greece; Ms. Argyro Papaioannou from the Tourism Promotion and Marketing Department of Central Macedonia; and Mr. Nikos Alexakis, Head of the Tourism Directorate of Crete.

Upcoming Tourism Media & Events initiatives promoting Greek tourism in 2023 are scheduled for Belgrade (January 26), Bucharest (January 31), Sofia (February 6), Lyon (March 30), Kazakhstan and Sweden (early April), and Amman (May).

High expectations for the 2023 tourism season marked the conclusion of the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in the USA

The Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop, organized by Tourism Media & Events in New York City on November 15, 2022, recorded strong optimism and high expectations for Greek tourism from the U.S. market in 2023.

The event was held with the primary goal of attracting high-income travelers to Greece while also promoting Greek exports within the American market.

It is widely recognized that the U.S. tourism market is one of the most dynamic for both luxury inbound travel and Greece’s high-value agri-food exports.

With a focus on the American market, the event represented another important step for Tourism Media & Events in strengthening Greece’s luxury tourism offering and showcasing its premium products, as part of the broader series of Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshops planned throughout 2023.

Held in the heart of Manhattan, the workshop took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C., and the Central Union of Chambers of Greece. The honored region was Central Macedonia, while the honored Gastronomy Region was Western Macedonia.

Event sponsors included Enterprise Greece S.A., Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos,” and the “Greek Breakfast” initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

Presentations were delivered by Mr. Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece; Mr. Giorgos Kasapidis, Regional Governor of Western Macedonia and President of the Region’s Agri-Food Partnership; Mr. Spyros Kellidis, Economist (M.A.) at ANKO Western Macedonia S.A. – Regional Development Agency; Mr. Miltiadis Nikolaou, Head of the Tourism Department of the Region of Central Macedonia; Ms. Maripola Kotsi, Marketing Executive at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”; and Ms. Pepi Birliraki, Deputy Mayor of Tourism for the Municipality of Rethymno.

From the U.S. market, 65 travel agents, 21 buyers of Greek products, and 14 prominent media outlets participated. In this context, hundreds of Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings were held between representatives of Greek destinations and tourism businesses and U.S. companies active in the travel and hospitality industry.

High expectations for Greek luxury tourism in Amsterdam

With the participation of all major Dutch travel agents and tour operators specializing in luxury travel, the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop, organized by Tourism Media & Events, was successfully held in Amsterdam on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

The strong presence and impressive participation of the Dutch professionals highlighted the growing potential of the Dutch market for high-income tourism toward Greece.

It is noteworthy that the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was the main sponsor of the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Amsterdam, where Greek destinations and tourism enterprises had the opportunity to meet leading travel agents from the Netherlands.

The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Embassy of Greece in The Hague, the Hellenic–Dutch Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Central Union of Chambers of Greece. The honored region was Thessaly.

Other participants included the Regions of Central Macedonia, Western Greece, and Crete, as well as the Municipalities of Karystos, Rethymno, and Kos. The event also welcomed several leading Greek hotels and innovative tourism companies.

Aegean Airlines served as the official airline sponsor, while additional sponsors included the “Greek Breakfast” initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the Chamber of Heraklion, and the Chamber of Arcadia.

The workshop took place at the historic and iconic 5-star deluxe Grand Hotel Amrâth, a 107-year-old landmark in central Amsterdam. It was honored by the presence and greeting of Mr. Evangelos Dairetzis, Economic & Commercial Affairs Counsellor of the Greek Embassy in The Hague, and Ms. Athina Spakouri, Director of the GNTO Office for the Netherlands.

Presentations were delivered by Ms. Angela Tzifa, Deputy Head of the GNTO Office in the Netherlands; Mr. Argyris Mergias from the Tourism Department of the Region of Thessaly; Mr. Lavrentis Vassiliadis, Head of Tourism Strategy Planning for the Region of Western Greece; Dr. Evangelia Mylona, Head of the Tourism Office of the Regional Unit of Pieria (Region of Central Macedonia); and Dr. Kyriakos G. Kotsoglou, Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism & E-Governance for the Region of Crete.

The event concluded with a prize draw featuring 14 hospitality gifts generously offered by Greek destinations and hotels.

The next event promoting Greek luxury tourism was scheduled to take place in New York on November 14–15, 2022, followed by a workshop in Warsaw on December 13, 2022, focusing on the broader promotion of Greek tourism.

Larissa’s Coastline: Here, tourism is simply an experience

In the heart of Greece, nestled between the embrace of Mount Olympus and facing Mount Athos, lies the coastal region of Larissa — a truly unique destination boasting 70 kilometers of coastline and more than 30 beaches.

This easily accessible region is just 3 hours from Athens, 1.5 hours from Thessaloniki, 40 minutes from the city of Larissa, and only 10 minutes from the Vale of Tempi. It is also located 40 miles from Skiathos, 60 from Alonissos, and 30 from Halkidiki.

As part of a press trip held from May 20–22, a team of journalists representing 14 leading Greek media outlets visited key landmarks and attractions across the wider area.

The coast of Larissa is a destination that combines mountain and sea in an unspoiled, effortlessly natural environment. Its gorges, lakes, hiking trails, and the Pinios River delta — home to herons and diverse wildlife — offer countless opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Traditional villages scattered along the slopes of Mount Kissavos, the thermal springs of Kokkino Nero, the former royal estate at Polydendri, local landmarks, monasteries, hermitages, and centuries-old churches of Mount Kelliou all add depth to this remarkable setting.

Visitors can also enjoy local tastings of renowned regional products — apples, chestnuts, cherries, and kiwifruits — along with the area’s wild herbs, experiencing a harmonious coexistence of agricultural life and tourism.

All this is generously offered by the local people, who welcome guests into their accommodations and properties, providing warm hospitality and authentic experiences in serene, uncrowded environments.

A visit to the Holy Monastery of Timios Prodromos in Anatoli revealed a living heritage: founded by Saint Damianos the Confessor in the 16th century, it is home to 23 nuns who cultivate, produce, and sell their own products.

Next stop — the picturesque village of Melivoia.

A stroll through enchanting Metaxochori, the “Village of Artists.” Once known as Retsiani or Melissi, Metaxochori lies just 1.5 km from Agia and is famed for its silk production. Perched at 300 meters altitude and 36 km from Larissa, it is a traditional settlement with ancient roots; Roman and Hellenistic funerary stelae have been found here, and it is said that Saint Kosmas of Aetolia preached to the villagers in 1765.

 

 

 

A tour continued along Agiokampos Beach — the second-longest beach in Greece — by inflatable boat.

 

 

Kokkino Nero
The village’s name comes from its famous red mineral spring. The carbonated, iron-rich water owes its color to natural mineral salts and is believed to have therapeutic qualities.

Pinios Delta
A landscape of exceptional beauty. Visitors can explore by small boats or canoes along the river, surrounded by wetlands, wild olive groves, cultivated olive orchards, pastures, coastal dunes, and riverine forests — all forming an intricate ecosystem of the Pinios Delta.

Ampelakia: The Balcony of Kissavos
Ampelakia is a traditional settlement in the prefecture of Larissa, located on the northwestern slopes of Mount Ossa at the entrance of the Vale of Tempi. The village is famed for its grand mansions, a testament to its prosperous past, built on the wealth generated from dyeing silk threads red using the madder root (Rubia tinctorum).

 

The journey continued through the Vale of Tempi — a place of breathtaking natural charm — before arriving at the historic Chani tis Kokkonas inn, where significant archaeological discoveries have been made, revealing remains of a Hellenistic complex with both ritual and workshop areas, as well as a Byzantine church and guesthouse.

A stop followed at the renowned Dougos Winery and a tour through the historic wine village of Rapsani.

Rapsani


Magical journeys often begin with a book and a glass of red wine — and when combined with cobbled alleys, panoramic views of the Tempi Valley and the coast, they lead straight to Rapsani, the ideal destination.

Built 500 meters above sea level on the fertile slopes of Mount Olympus, Rapsani is a true gem of a village. Written references to it appear as early as the 15th century. Even today, Rapsani thrives and continues to make history — the summer retreat of novelist M. Karagatsis (the pen name of Dimitrios Rodopoulos), who often drew inspiration from its charm.

A strong scent of Greece at the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop in Qatar

With the participation of 73 travel agents active in the Qatari market, the Greek Luxury Tourism & Gastronomy Workshop concluded successfully last Wednesday in Doha.

The strong Greek presence impressed the Arab participants, whose turnout confirmed Qatar’s significant potential as a high-end tourism market for Greece.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was the main sponsor of the Workshop, which brought together Greek destinations and tourism enterprises with the most prominent Qatari travel agencies. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, with the Region of Central Macedonia as the honored region. Sponsors included Mideast Travel Group, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels’ “Greek Breakfast” initiative, and the Municipality of Rethymno.

The workshop took place at the City Center Rotana in downtown Doha and was honored by the presence and greeting of H.E. Ms. Eleni Michopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to Qatar.

Following the B2B meetings, Ms. Maria Andreadou, Head of Tourism for the Regional Unit of Imathia, presented on behalf of the Region of Central Macedonia, highlighting the unique advantages of each regional unit and showcasing the region’s growing interest in the Qatari market.

Equally dynamic was the participation of the Municipality of Rethymno, represented by Deputy Mayor Ms. Pepi Birliraki, who introduced the Qatari audience to the attractions of Crete and the many reasons why the island is an ideal destination for travelers from Qatar.

The event concluded with traditional Greek dances performed by the Greek Folk Dancing Group of Qatar’s Greek community, followed by the customary raffle draw organized by Tourism Media & Events, offering more than 15 hospitality gifts contributed by Greek destinations and hotels.

Upcoming events promoting Greek luxury tourism are scheduled to take place in Amsterdam in October 2022 and in the USA from November 14–16, 2022, while an additional workshop supporting general Greek tourism is planned for early December 2022 in Warsaw.