GNTO: Travelers from Spain, Latin America are Booking Holidays to Greece this Year

General view of the Fitur 2023 expo. Photo source: IFEMA

Greece once again is on the bucket lists of travelers from Spain and markets of Latin America, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) said on Thursday.

Following its participation in the Fitur 2023 international tourism fair held recently in Madrid, the GNTO said feedback from the event was very positive as early booking data shows that an increase in arrivals from the Spanish market this year, compared to 2022, should be expected.

In its 43rd year, Fitur is the global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.

The GNTO participated in the exhibition with its own stand in the Europe section and hosted 33 co-exhibitors including the regions of Central Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, as well as the Municipality of Skiathos.

Visitors at the Greek stand at Fitur 2023. Photo source: GNTO

“The Greek stand attracted thousands of visitors throughout the exhibition, who were looking for information and useful tips to plan their trip to our country,” the GNTO said in an announcement.

During the exhibition, the GNTO office in Spain held 180 meetings with Spanish and Portuguese industry professionals, as well as tourism business executives from South America and examined growth prospects in target markets.

A B2B meeting at the stand of the Region of Central Macedonia. Photo source: Region of Central Macedonia

Representatives of the Region of Central Macedonia also held meetings with foreign professionals and explored the prospects for strengthening existing partnerships and developing new ones in order to expand its tourism network in Spain as well as in markets of Latin America.

The stand of Skiathos at Fitur 2023. Photo source: Municipality of Skiathos

One of the highlights at the Greek stand was the special visit of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili to the stand of Skiathos. It is reminded that following a partnership announced last February, the UNWTO is working alongside the Greek island’s local authorities on a package of technical advice and practical assistance with regard to tourism.

GNTO promotes Tilos

Panel discussion on sustainability and innovation at Fitur 2023. Photo source: GNTO

On the sidelines of Fitur 2023, the head of the GNTO’s office in Spain, Kalliopi Kourousia, represented the Greek island of Tilos during a panel discussion on innovation, tourism development and sustainability at the invitation of the Balearic government.

Addressing an audience of international tourism professionals, Kourousia referred to the unique initiative of Tilos to become the “first Green island of the Mediterranean”. Tilos’ goal so far has earned the destination great recognition as well as four European awards for energy transition and innovation.

Organized by IFEMA and held January 18-22, the Fitur expo this year saw the participation of 131 countries, 755 exhibitors and 8,360 enterprises. Fitur had a strong business focus during its first three days dedicated exclusively to B2B and saw a 68 percent increase in the number of travel professionals. During the last two days, when the exhibition opened its doors to the public for B2C, the number of visitors tripled compared to the previous year, reaching 222,000 people.