Destination Athens: Travel Trade Gather in Greece in April

International and Greek tourism professionals have expressed a high interest in the third edition of the annual Travel Trade Athens event to be held 26-27 April in the Greek capital.

The two-day travel event is organized by the City of Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) in partnership with the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA). It serves as a meeting point for top travel buyers from around the world and leading hoteliers, tourist attractions, travel agents and tour operators in Greece.

So far, organizers have confirmed the registration of 60 buyers — tour operators, travel agents, conference and corporate meetings organizers, etc — from a wide range of countries such as USA, Australia, Brazil, India, Hong Kong, Israel, and Lebanon. On the suppliers side, over 100 Greek tourism professionals from all sectors of the industry have applied.

Participants will have the opportunity to discover more about Athens and Greece as world-class destinations, and experience the vibrant culture and genuine hospitality of this most modern of ancient cities.

Confirmed buyers participate free of charge, including all travel, accommodation and social events. Every buyer will have an individually tailored agenda of one-to-one appointments with local suppliers relevant to their target markets. For suppliers, this is a unique opportunity to expand their sales networks and build new partnerships across the global travel industry.

As well as a full day of pre-scheduled B2B meetings, the program includes open networking sessions and a keynote address by Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis. On April 26, buyers will have a full day to explore Athens through a choice of FAM trips. These themed excursions will cover the city’s timeless attractions and latest trends, from street art walks and island cruises to wine tastings and off-the-beaten-track tours led by local insiders.

Last year, the Greek capital recorded over 15 million arrivals at Athens International Airport and welcomed 3.6 million visitors to the city.

According to the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency, the city is also becoming a major conference destination, attracting over 50,000 business delegates each year.

Travel Trade Athens 2015 is supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), World Youth Student and Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation, and Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

For further information and registration, press here.

GTP is among the main media sponsors of the event.