Santorini to Set Up First DMO in Greece

Santorini, Greece

The first DMO (Destination Management Organization) in Greece will be representing the island of Santorini, South Aegean Region Governor George Hadzimarkos announced in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis this week.

Speaking ahead of Mitsotakis, who announced the official re-opening of Greece to tourism after Covid-19 from Santorini on June 13, Hadzimarkos said the DMO, was aimed at “safeguarding the pillar that supports our islands’ economy”.

Aiming to develop the island’s long-term travel and tourism strategy, the DMO will be set up with the support of the tourism ministry, the South Aegean Region, the Santorini Municipality, the Santorini Hoteliers Association (SHA), the island’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Union of Boatmen (SUB).

Hadzimarkos together with Santorini Mayor Antonis Sigalas, SHA President Antonis Iliopoulos, Chamber chief Nikos Nomikos, and SUB head Nikos Kanakaris are expected to draw up and present the DMO’s structure and operational plan in the coming weeks.

Santorini, Photo Source: Visit Greece

The DMO will be tasked with protecting the South Aegean islands through the implementation of tourist infrastructure projects and product upgrades aimed at enhancing the overall tourist experience.

Additionally, the DMO will work together with private and public tourism partners towards identifying funding options, exchanging knowhow on best practices, monitoring changing consumer and market trends, and keeping up to date with rival destinations.

“The crisis that the Greek tourism industry is experiencing this year, and as a result the Greek economy, must not only make us stronger, but also serve as a catalyst for change that will shield the foundations of Greek tourism,” said Hadzimarkos.

“Shielding the pillar that supports our islands’ economy is our greatest responsibility,” he added.