Key Tourism Figures 2019: Evangelos Vlachos, CEO, Athens Development and Destination Management Agency

Athens is making headlines and attracting interest and private investment

We all recognize how important the tourism sector has been as a driving force of economic development during the previous years. Its impact was felt widely, contributing on many levels locally and establishing Athens as a contemporary destination. We also know such growth and associated economic benefits can only be realised with a coherent vision and the right means of implementation.

Our efforts have contributed to the rise of Athens as a head choice for association events, ranking as the 24th top convention destination in the world for 2018, according to the latest ICCA Annual Report.

It is the result of well-established goals and hard work to bring people together and create valuable networks.

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Evangelos Vlachos, CEO Athens Development and Destination Management Agency

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…Our goal is not only to sustain tourism as the main driver for local development and growth but also to create the conditions for sustainable tourism, where visitors make a positive impact on the environment, society, and of course the economy…

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The unique public-private partnership of This is Athens & Partners led by the City of Athens, brings together key tourism stakeholders and corporations committed to work together with the local industry’s knowledge and expertise to further promote Athens as a top choice through a course of strategic actions.

We are currently in the middle of an off-season campaign which runs in three languages and is designed to reach travelers from across Europe aiming to promote Athens as a year-round city break destination.

With tourism continuing to generate growth for Athens, we work hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders to design and implement a long-term plan for tourism development. It includes programmes that will not only drive economic growth and support greater numbers of jobs but will also stimulate the city’s identity and contemporary scene, strengthen its sense of pride and reputation as an open, contemporary and welcoming city.

In this sense our goal is not only to sustain tourism as the main driver for local development and growth but also to create the conditions for sustainable tourism, where visitors make a positive impact on the environment, society, and of course the economy. Athens is making headlines and attracting interest and private investment.

Airlines are adding routes to our city and major hotel groups have landed here and are revamping hotels and making fresh investments. To the eyes of the international market Athens is again an opportunity.

Our challenge is harnessing the rising potential of Athens in a way that will allow us to develop, manage and promote Athens as an attractive year-round destination for visitors, residents, professionals and investors.