Thessaloniki-Smyrna Ferry Connection on the Agenda

Thessaloniki Hotels Association (THA) President Aristotelis Thomopoulos, Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Ekrem Demirtaz and Regional Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas at the association’s stand at the international Travel Turkey Izmir 2014 fair. Photo source: THA

Connecting Thessaloniki to Smyrna via regular ferry routes may take off in the coming months, Turkish authorities told a Greek delegation on the sidelines of the international Travel Turkey Izmir fair held on 4-7 December in Smyrna (Izmir).

Ekrem Demirtaz, president of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, said that Turkey was moving ahead with the necessary actions so as to speed up procedures in order for the ferry line to operate in the coming months.

“The ferry connection between Thessaloniki and Smyrna will prove to be of great economic benefit to our city. It will pave the way for growth in the tourism sector as well as boost trade and business transactions between the two sides,” Thessaloniki Hotels Association (THA) president Aristotelis Thomopoulos said.

In the meantime, pushing for the launch of a direct airline connection between Thessaloniki and Smyrna, THA called for the creation of working groups in both cities in order to explore the possibility.