Crete: Hersonissos Taking Action to Enter Wedding Tourism Market

Hersonissos, a seaside town located on the Greek island of Crete, is taking action to enter the global wedding tourism market.

The city’s municipality is investing in wedding tourism, which has grown in popularity in recent years, by developing a strategy that highlights its unique offerings for couples looking to tie the knot in Greece.

According to Hersonissos’ Mayor Yiannis Segos, the city’s idyllic locations, modern hotel infrastructure and friendly local community make it a prime location for wedding tourism.

A meeting of local officials and tourism stakeholders at Hersonissos. Photo source: Municipality of Hersonissos.

In an announcement, Segos underlined that the municipality’s priority is to upgrade Hersonissos’ tourism product in accordance to sustainability pillars. He added that the city aims to become “a point of reference” for wedding tourism around the globe.

In a bid to promote wedding tourism, the municipality is working with travel agencies and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) to launch a comprehensive promotion project. This will include creating a marketing brand, producing advertising material, and participating in international exhibitions and roadshows.

Recently, the GNTO signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the Greek Destination Planners Association (GDPA) to promote luxury and wedding tourism in Greece. Taking the agreement under consideration, the Municipality of Hersonissos presented its plans, which include joint initiatives to promote the corporate and social events sector in Greece.

Meetings on the subject have have also been held between the mayor and representatives of the Cretan Tourism Agents Association, the Heraklion Hoteliers Association and GDPA’s president, Thomas Politis.

It was also announced that the municipality and its tourism department are also creating a new website (weddings.landofexperiences.gr) that will host hotels, venues and wedding planners that offer services in Hersonissos. The website will also provide useful information regarding wedding registration and paperwork.

Photo source: Municipality of Hersonissos.

Hersonissos will also participate in the National Wedding Show in Birmingham, UK, in March, and launch a new promo video to promote the town as a wedding destination. The video will be available in five languages and three smaller videos showcasing different types of weddings and natural beauty spots will be produced for targeted markets.

Mayor Segos believes that wedding tourism can greatly benefit the local economy since many couples choose to get married in destinations outside their country of residence.

“Our land offers an unforgettable experience that will combine a wedding and its honeymoon,” the mayor of Hersonissos said.