Northern Greece Tops WTM’s ‘Most Underrated Destinations’ List

Photo source: Thessaloniki Tourism Organization

Northern Greece, which includes such mainland destinations as Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus and Halkidiki, is among Europe’s “most underrated destinations”, according to the findings of a poll presented during this year’s World Travel Market taking place in London.

Based on the responses of leading travel industry executives, 14 percent said Northern Greece was among the most undervalued destinations after Portugal’s autonomous Azores region (14.5 percent) and followed by Bulgaria (10 percent).

The findings were presented as part of WTM London’s 2022 Industry Report which notes that though Greece had a good year so far making a strong comeback in the summer, Northern Greece is still “less-visited than the south of the mainland and the ever-popular Greek islands”.

The WTM poll concluded that the region has so much to offer including Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the gods of Ancient Greece and the country’s highest mountain.

Mount Olympus. Photo source: Thessaloniki Tourism Organization

Mention was also made of the small town of Litochoro at the foot of the mountain some 100km from Thessaloniki and of the Halkidiki peninsula.

Also part of Northern Greece, Halkidiki remains undiscovered, said the report, describing the peninsula as “a stunning part of Greece, with its ‘three fingers,’ which extend from the mainland out into the Aegean Sea”. It goes on to add that Northern Greece as a whole is “rich with heavy influences throughout from its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past”.

“The Azores, with its natural beauty and commitment to sustainability, and Northern Greece, with some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes and historical settings, rightly take their places at the top of the list of the most underrated destinations,” said World Travel Market London Exhibition Director Juliette Losardo.

Photo source: Halkidiki Tourism Organization

According to the report presented at WTM London 2022, the top-10 most underrated destinations are: Azores (14.5 percent), Northern Greece (14 percent), Bulgaria (10 percent), Scotland (10 percent), Estonia (9.5 percent), Netherlands (9 percent), Sicily (9 percent), Slovenia (9 percent), Wales (8 percent) and Bratislava (7 percent).

The WTM London expo will run until November 9, with opening hours from 10am – 6pm for all three days.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.