Thessaloniki Aims To Lure Indian Tourists

Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki. (Photo: Thessaloniki Tourism Organization Facebook page)

Thessaloniki-based hoteliers recently attended a workshop and presented their hotel services to a group of Indian tour operators visiting the Greek northern city.

The workshop took place within the framework of a familiarization trip to Thessaloniki held for 11 tour operators from India, organized by ASIT travel agency and Turkish Airlines.

Prior to the workshop, Thessaloniki was presented as an attractive travel destination to the Indian tour operators who appeared to show a great interest for the history of Macedonia and Alexander the Great.

They also applauded the fact that Thessaloniki is accessible via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flights.

According to the president of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Aristotelis Thomopoulos, the Indian tour operators were very surprised that the Greek northern city could combine so many elements (entertainment, shopping, culture, rich history) for travelers.

“We presented Thessaloniki’s profile that was completely unknown to the Indian market,” he noted.

The association aims to include Thessaloniki as a year-round destination in a combined travel package with Athens or Istanbul.

Photo: news.com.au

Over 10 million Indians travel abroad every year but rarely included Greece as a destination of preference, mainly due to the absence of an airline connection between Thessaloniki and cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta).

Indians often travel to Europe for both leisure and business purposes. They prefer all inclusive packages and are particularly fond of Mykonos and Santorini as they consider the two islands ideal for a relaxing holiday in luxurious resorts.