Yet another resonant presence of the Region of Attica was recorded in Germany, at the International Tourism Exhibition ITB Berlin, one of the top travel industry shows in the world, which took place from 6 to 10 March 2019, at Berlin ExpoCenter City exhibition centre. Over 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries and regions showcased their tourism products to 113,500 trade visitors, in an exhibition that reflects the trends of the German and international market, as well as the course of tour operator bookings, giving an outline of the forthcoming season.
The Region of Attica travelled to Germany with the support of Aegean Airlines and participated at “ITB Berlin 2019” as co-exhibitor of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), in Hall 1.1, Stand 101-101a. During the exhibition, the executives and partners of the Region of Attica Directorate of Tourism under the coordination of the Executive Regional Councilor for Tourism Promotion, Ms Eleni Dimopoulou, conducted a great number of contacts with tourism professionals, major tour operators, travel journalists, bloggers and influencers from all over the world, as well as with the German and international audience of the exhibition, showcasing the competitive advantages of Attica’s individual destinations for short break holidays, all around the year.
At a meeting between the Executive Regional Councilor for Tourism Promotion, Ms Eleni Dimopoulou, and representatives of TUI Poland, the launch of a new programme by the key tourism organisation for Athens, the seaside resorts and Attica’s islands was confirmed. The decision for this new programme came as a result of a fam trip organised by the Region of Attica and the excellent impressions that Attica’s city and island destinations made to the hosted tour operators. The programme features two flights per week from Warsaw and Katowice to Athens and will last from June until October 2019. Visitors from TUI Poland will mainly stay in hotels located in Nea Makri, Mati and Kalamos. Thus the Region of Attica actively supports the tourism and economic rebound of the seaside districts in East Attica.
During the exhibition, the executives of the Region of Attica Directorate of Tourism had an important meeting regarding the “FVW workshop Athens-Attica 2019” that will be held from 27-31 March 2019, with the support and active participation of the Region of Attica. Discussions with Mr. Sönke Graumann, Head of International Markets of FVW, Germany’s leading trade magazine for tourism and business travel, and the project manager of “FVW workshop Athens-Attica 2019”, were extremely constructive, focusing on the organisation of the significant workshop, that will introduce Attica’s treasures and multitude of travel experiences, to leading German tour operators and travel agents.
The overall atmosphere of “ITB Berlin 2019” was particularly optimistic for the incoming tourism in Greece and in Attica for 2019. German visitors are the 3rd greatest tourism market for Attica, in terms of number of visits, according to statistical data from the Bank of Greece (until the 3rd quarter of 2018).
Main conclusion from the meetings of the Region of Attica Directorate of Tourism with key tour operators of Germany is that according to bookings made so far, the tourist flows from Germany to Athens and Attica are expected to increase, thus maintaining Attica’s leading position in German travellers’ preferences.
