The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and the city of Athens are joining forces to stimulate tourism to the capital of Greece, often referred to as the ‘cradle of Western civilization’. On 22nd April a delegation of nearly 60 professional tour-operator-buyers, recruited by ETOA, will come to Athens for a familiarisation visit and to take part in a workshop where each buyer will have a series of up to 32 meetings with relevant local suppliers, such as hotels and visitor attractions.
The event, branded Travel Trade Athens, employs ETOA’s appointment system, which offers a schedule of one-to-one meetings based on the specific requirements of suppliers and buyers. For Athens to incorporate this workshop element is a major development in the engagement between a destination and the people who sell it around the world.
As well as such structured networking Travel Trade Athens is providing delegates with a familiarisation visit that includes stops at the Benaki Museum, National Gardens, Greek Parliament and the new Digital Planetarium. Lunch is served at the Aegli Zappiou restaurant.
Tom Jenkins, Executive Director of ETOA says “ETOA was founded by those companies that specialised in bringing clients from around the world into Europe. These people sold cities, their clients knowing that European city culture was unique. Amongst European cities Athens stands proud. It has been a must-see destination for three millennia and we welcome the opportunity to showcase that.”
George Broulias, Member of the Athens City Council & President of ADDMA stressed that: “The City of Athens is delighted to host and co-organise the first Travel Trade Athens workshop, in cooperation with the European Tour Operators Association. Our cooperation with ETOA, such an esteemed and high profile partner in the field of tourism internationally, has proven to be a valuable asset to the City’s effort to showcase Athens, effectively and reliably to the international tourism professionals’ community.
The City of Athens, in its effort to boost the City’s visitor economy and establish Athens among the most popular destinations in Europe, follows an enhanced strategic planning for marketing and promotion. The Travel Trade Athens series constitutes a very important and valuable step towards achieving this goal”.
