Region of Attica’s participation in the important for the world tourist market and the market of the United Kingdom, International Tourism Exhibition “WTM London 2021” was crowned with great success. The Region of Attica participated as a co-exhibitor in the national stand of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO). The exhibition was organised in hybrid form, i.e. with physical presence in London during the period from 01-03/11/2021 and then with virtual participation in the period from 8-9/11/2021.
On the occasion of the participation of the Region of Attica in the World Travel Market, the Attica Regional Governor G. Patoulis made the following statement:
“By participating in internationally prestigious exhibitions, such as the one held in London, we achieve our goal of enhancing the extroversion and visibility of the comparative advantages of Attica. Attica can be a 12-month destination with authentic tourist experiences and options. With concrete steps and strategic planning, we highlight the true character and identity of Attica, which is an everlasting metropolis of the world, with an important historical and cultural heritage. At the same time, it is a modern, cosmopolitan destination that can satisfy the wishes of even the most demanding visitor by offering safe and quality options. These include gastronomic tourism, cultural tourism, conference tourism and health tourism. In the Region of Attica we believe that tourism can be a key tool for permanent economic and business development; a powerful tool that can contribute to the best display of our positive image at global level and create conditions of progress and prosperity for the residents of Attica”.
According to the organizers of the exhibition, there were more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 200 countries and regions with more than 50,000 participants at the event.
At its stand, the Region of Attica welcomed large numbers of visitors and tourism professionals, who had the opportunity to be informed, with the use of rich audiovisual and print material, about the variety of options a trip to Attica may offer to the visitor.
The main objective of the Region of Attica was the dynamic and targeted tourist promotion of Attica and to inform the UK market, as well as the international public, on the comparative advantages of Attica that make it a safe and very attractive multi-dimensional destination for unforgettable holidays throughout the year. In addition, presentations were made about the Region’s unique destinations, the various forms of thematic tourism such as gastronomic, cultural, conference tourism, etc., alongside with a variety of activities for all visitors, irrespective of their profile and financial status, which can be enjoyed during a safe and unforgettable holiday trip to Attica throughout the year.
During the International Tourism Exhibition “WTM London 2021”, more than 20 B2B meetings were held with tourism professionals. Some of these include Secret Escapes, FlyToTv.co.il, CT4N Travel, ZancTravel Group, etc. At the same time, contact was made with the University of Birmingham in the context of attracting educational tourism to Attica.
Particularly significant for Attica was the meeting with a high-ranking official of the tour operator “Jet2 Holidays” which plans to increase its routes to Athens airport, starting around the beginning of April until the end of October 2022, with 4 flights per week, and with a first estimate increase in visitors by 22,000.
The Region of Attica was represented by the Executive Regional Councilor of Tourism Mr. Theodoros Koutsogiannopoulos and the Head of the Directorate of Tourism Ms. Athina Kolyva.
The Municipality of Poros, which participated in the exhibition as co-exhibitor of the Region of Attica, was represented by the Member of the Municipal Committee of Tourism Development and Promotion, Mr. Anastasios Fiakas.
Subsequently, around 30 meetings with travel agents, bloggers, tour operators, tourism journalists and other professionals active in the tourism industry from all over the world were planned during the virtual participation in the exhibition. During the 20-minute meetings, the Head of the Tourism Promotion Department of the Directorate of Tourism of the Region of Attica presented the rich geographical and thematic portfolio of Attica, making it a safe and attractive multidimensional destination for unforgettable holidays throughout the year. Indicatively, the following companies are mentioned: TravelZoo, Wanderlust MarriageTravel, MIKI Travel, NKM Media, Oasis Travel, Trivago, etc. Moreover, during the virtual WTM 2021, the Development Company of the Municipality of Piraeus “Destination Piraeus” and the Development Company of the Municipality of Athens “This is Athens – Convention & Visitors Bureau” also participated as co-exhibitors of the Region of Attica with their representatives.
SOURCE: AMNA
