Yorgos Kaminis, Mayor of Athens

Official Tourism Message

Against the grim frame of instability and economic crisis, Athens is making an impressive comeback to the international tourism and travel market, experiencing an average 26% increase in the number of foreign visitors in 2015, one of the largest growth rates recorded globally and in particular, in Europe.

This achievement is the result of serious planning, targeted actions and resourceful initiatives utilized by the City and the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau in coordination with all of our tourism stakeholders. It signals a more optimistic perception for the coming years. It renews our hopes and strengthens our commitment to pursue our strategic goals: growth, healthy prosperity and social cohesion.

Athens has also succeeded in making remarkable progress in attaining a higher quality of services and infrastructure especially in terms of urban development, security and sustainable mobility. Thus, our City, thrives again as an attractive leisure tourism, city break and business travel destination.

Athens is a European Metropolis at the crossroads of three continents. A city endowed with year-round sunshine, the European capital city with the most blue flag beaches, a booming gastronomic scene and warm, hospitable people.

In addition to world class cultural heritage attractions and the longest archaeological promenade in Europe, new high-end convention facilities and hotels, a fascinating entertainment scene and a state-of-the-art transportation network can accommodate the needs of the most demanding of visitors.

Athens is a city which offers authentic experiences, enchanting tours and engaging in action packed activities, both within and beyond the city limits all year round.

It goes without saying that Tourism is vital to the City’s economy. It brings growth; it creates jobs; pumps and spreads income to a larger spectrum of businesses and professions. In this sense, tourism recovery helps in dealing with several other issues.

Integrated in our master Strategic Plan, tourism is an important asset for boosting the local economy and accelerating the development of the city, placing it among the most popular destinations, worldwide.