Halkidiki Tourism Body Learns from Zingst Example

The Halkidiki Tourism Organization (HTO) recently visited the municipality of Zingst in Germany’s Vorpommern-Rügen district to learn more about an innovative local tourism initiative which has contributed to the extension of the tourist season there by four months.

Together with representatives from the Greek municipalities of Nea Propontida, Kassandra and Sithonia, the HTO visited Zingst earlier this month to participate in workshops on how to develop the region and extend the tourism season through alternative tourism options.

The Fischland-Darß-Zingst Tourism Organization is a fine example of public-private partnership (PPP), operating with the participation of the region’s local authorities and private enterprise in tourism. It is also self-financed through membership fees and advertisement revenue. In this way, Zingst has managed to extend the season from five to nine months thanks to a new alternative tourism strategy that is based on nature-centered activities including cycling, trekking, landscape photography festivals and birdwatching.

Representatives from the HTO will remain in Germany to gain hands-on experience.