German Tourism Market ‘Discovers’ Thessaloniki and Halkidiki in post-Covid-19 Era

FVW-Workshop 2020

The tourism offerings of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki in northern Greece, were recently presented to 40 German tourism professionals that took part in the FVW Workshop Greece 2020.

Held annually by the FVW magazine, the event focuses on the German tourism market. The 2020 edition was held in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki during September 15-20.

Coordinated by FVW Editor-in-Chief Klaus Hildebrand, the FVW Workshop Greece 2020 focused on the needs of the German market that looks for new destinations offering a wide range of tourism products and quality services.

Speaking during the event, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis, said that Greek tourism opened to international travelers this year, despite the negative circumstances.

“Greece has implemented protocols, conducted tests, and showed its professionalism and credibility…We managed to restart the tourism industry, which was a very difficult endeavor… The year 2021 will be challenging… We invest in quality tourism and respond to the new way of traveling,” he said.

Fragakis also referred to Greece’s tourism professionals – entrepreneurs, hoteliers and restaurateurs – “who also did their job well”.

Meanwhile, according to Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Grigoris Tasios, the best way to achieve recovery in 2021, would be to promote Greece as a safe destination.

He also underlined the significance of road tourism from Germany for the Greek market. “It is necessary to develop tourism products that will accellarate the development of sales in 2021,” he added.

Extending the tourism season

During the FVW workshop, representatives of German tour operators including FTI, LMX Touristik and TUI confirmed the rising demand for holidays to Greece, that has led to the extension of the tourism season until November in some parts of the country.

“Last minute bookings show the trust of customers and their willingness to travel,” the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization said in an announcement.

“Greek hoteliers proved that they can combine hospitality and safety, and be flexile under the new circumstances. The new season will be challenging,” the organization added.

Furthermore, a survey by TrevoTrend revealed the potential of the German tourism market for Thessaloniki that accepts a number of flights from German airports, and for Halkidiki that offers thematic forms of tourism.

Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, FVW-Workshop 15.-20.09.2020

During the FVW workshop, German tourism professionals had the opportunity to tour Thessaloniki’s and Halkidiki’s ancient sites, museums and traditional villages and explore thematic forms of tourism including gastronomy and MICE.