Thessaloniki Hoteliers Want City’s Convention Bureau To Reopen

Thessaloniki Hotels Association President Aristotelis Thomopoulos (third from left) with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center) at the association’s stand at the 29th Philoxenia exhibition.

Thessaloniki is losing out on hosting major international conferences and events due to the absence of a conference and exhibition center in the city, the president of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Aristotelis Thomopoulos, informed Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during the recent 29th Philoxenia exhibition.

Mr. Thomopoulos said this was giving neighboring countries such as Belgrade, Sofia and Istanbul, an advantage in the conference tourism area.

He said Thessaloniki’s “conference and exhibition potential” began to decline further once the city’s convention and visitors bureau closed. He requested its immediate reactivation.

Philoxenia 2013: Thessaloniki promoted as city break destination

Thessaloniki was mainly promoted as a city break destination through its stand at the Philoxenia exhibition, held 21-24 November.

During the exhibition, the association held a series of meetings with hosted buyers and aimed to make important agreements to support tourism and attract more travelers from traditional and new target markets.

The association discussed partnerships with selected representatives of travel agencies and tour operators from Malta, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, India, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Canada, UK, Austria, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria and , Hungary.