Central Macedonia Region Setting Up Tourism Observatory
As part of ongoing efforts to plan targeted actions and initiatives that will increase tourism flows, the Region of Central Macedonia, which includes the destinations of Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Pieria, Imathia, Pella, Kilkis and Serres, announced that it is in the process of creating a tourism observatory.
According to a presentation made at this year’s Philoxenia exhibition held in Thessaloniki earlier this month, the observatory will gather economic data concerning tourism to the region. Based on the data, which will include Central Macedonia’s arrivals (by road and air) and overnight stays by accommodation type, the region will formulate its tourism strategy with targeted marketing and promotional actions.
Tourism professionals invited to support the initiative
Central Macedonia Vice Governor for Tourism and Culture Alexandros Thanos said the project was underway and invited local tourism stakeholders and entrepreneurs to support the initiative and provide data to the observatory so that it can evolve into a fully operational tool over the next five years.
“We’re collecting data from INSETE, the Bank of Greece, airports, tolls, entry gates and border points; we are working with the private sector, hoteliers… and will use the data to design our marketing and tourism promotion and development strategy,” said Thanos, pointing out that the observatory will help identify changes taking place in tourism.
“In this way, we will be able to better plan studies that will have to include updated data in order to absorb necessary NSRF and available EU funds,” the vice governor added.
Developed by Greek software company EXEO in cooperation with the region, the observatory will be available through the online platform www.bi.visit-centralmacedonia.gr in the Greek language.
“It can be a useful tool for officials, tourism professionals, journalists and researchers,” EXEO’s managing director, Konstantinos Nasias, said while presenting the platform.