GNTO Strengthens Ties With Thessaloniki Hotels Association

The Greek National Tourism Organization’s secretary general, Nikos Karachalios (second from right), with (from left) the Thessaloniki Hotels Association’s trustee, Panagiotis Boutsoukis; cashier, Fotios Papadopoulos; president, Aristotelis Thomopoulos; and secretary general, Dimitrios Mousiadis.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) will soon sign a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Thessaloniki Hotels Association to redefine the Northern Greek city’s place in the global tourism market as an attractive all-year-round destination, according to the organization’s secretary general, Nikos Karachalios.

“For me, Thessaloniki and Macedonia in general, is the country’s second destination,” Mr. Karachalios said following a recent meeting with the association.

He added that the Northern Greek city will play a leading role under GNTO’s new motto “Greece All Time Classic.”

The details of the cooperation, which will see to joint actions and initiatives for Thessaloniki’s improved promotion abroad, are expected to be announced later this month.

According to the president of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Aristotelis Thomopoulos, some 500,000 Greek visitors have abandoned Thessaloniki as a destination over the past three years.

He noted that openness is the antidote to the crisis that can be achieved through the close cooperation between the state, local government, tourism professionals and the local community.