Thessaloniki Welcomed By International Council Of Tourism Partners

“The Thessaloniki Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB) excels as a destination choice for conference organizers and ICTP (International Council of Tourism Partners) is proud to have it join as a destination member,” ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said in late July.

ICTP is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality services and green growth.

“The city of Thessaloniki has a wide selection of venues and hotels open all year round,” Mr. Steinmetz said.

According to ICTP, Thessaloniki has hosted major international events such as the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1997, the European Council Meeting (EU Summit) in 2003, and football matches of the 2004 Olympics.

“Thessaloniki is in a position to offer its visitors unique and unforgettable experiences,” an ICTP announcement said.

In addition, according to an informal announcement made in July by Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris to the city council, the National Geographic Society magazine has included Thessaloniki among the top international destinations travelers should not miss next year. An official announcement will be made in October.

The renowned magazine, with a worldwide readership of eight million, will include Thessaloniki among the top destination suggestions worldwide in its annual travel guide for 2013.

According to the local press, this is not the first time Thessaloniki is mentioned in a leading publication.

In 2010 leading travel guide Lonely Planet included the city in its top 10 destinations in the world in terms of entertainment.

In 2011, the annual publication of Louis Vuitton City Guide–European Cities included Thessaloniki in the “unexpected cities” category because of the wine and culinary experience it offers.

That same year, the New York Times newspaper included Thessaloniki in the top 41 destinations to be visited in 2011.