Thessaloniki Tourism Promoted to Foreign Target Markets

Photo Source: @Thessaloniki Travel (Thessaloniki Tourism Organization)

The Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (TTO) has carried out more than 100 marketing activities in 2019 for the promotion of Thessaloniki to its target markets.

“During the past year, Thessaloniki increased its presence as a tourism destination in the neighboring Balkan countries and traditional markets such as the UK, Israel and Germany,” TTO said in an announcement.

Meanwhile, international arrivals at the Makedonia Airport increased by 10,6 percent between January – July 2019 compared to the same period last year, while the total number of visitors increased by 248,000 according to data by Fraport Greece.

“The organization has invested in the city’s digital promotion, also gathering information for research,” the announcement said.

TTO has completed the first part of an extensive study on Thessaloniki’s social media presence. The organization currently counts 25,500 followers on facebook and 15,500 on Instagram. It is also present on Linkedin and Tripadvisor.

Furthermore, the city was recently promoted through Wizz Air’s social media and website as the ideal city break destination, while Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia is planning to present a digital campaign on Thessaloniki to more than 200,000 passengers between November 2019 and April 2020.

Photo Source: Visit Greece / K. Grozoudis

Thessaloniki presented at international fairs

During the first months of 2019, TTO presented Thessaloniki at international fairs including Vakantiebeurs, ITB Berlin and Greek Travel Show.

Thessaloniki’s tourism offerings were also presented to US travel professionals during the annual global sales meeting of Collette Tours, one of the largest and oldest tour operators in the United States. The 2019 meeting was held in Greece with the participation of over 120 sales managers.

Meanwhile, Thessaloniki’s gastronomy was featured in the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival that took place in London, UK, in July.

Between January and August 2019, TTO organized, participated in or supported more than 22 familiarization and press trips, 28 scientific conferences and meetings, seven festivals, a number of sports and cultural events with the aim to promote the city.