Rethymno will Aim to Attract More American Tourists in 2021

Rethymno, Crete. Photo Source: @Incredible Crete

The Municipality of Rethymno has partnered with ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) Greece aiming to promote its tourism offerings to the US market and attract more travelers in 2021.

According to the municipality, an increasing number of US travelers visit Rethymno for holidays every year.

“Our online platform www.rethymno.guide has revealed to that the average American tourist seeks quality accommodation and has an interest in exploring a destination, its local flavors and experiences,” Rethymno Deputy Mayor Pepi Biliraki said during a recent meeting with Leonidas Babanis, president of ASTA Greece.

Biliraki underlined that Crete and especially Rethymno, can meet the highest demands [of travelers] by offering experiences related to the environment, nature, sports, history, gastronomy and wine tourism

“Through our partnership with ASTA Greece and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), we anticipate immediate and excellent results once tourism opens again,” she added.

ASTA Greece President Leonidas Babanis and POX Secretary General Manolis Tsakalakis

ASTA is an organization representing 17,500 US tourism consultants as well as 25,000 members across 110 countries.

During the last three years, it has been working to promote Greece to the US market. According to Leonidas Babanis, the organization is looking into more ways to promote Rethymno’s tourism offerings to the US market.

Also present at the meeting was Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) Secretary General and President of the Rethmno Hoteliers Association Manolis Tsakalakis who referred to the liquidity problems the hotel industry is facing due to the coronavirus pandemic. He expressed optimism that through technology, Rethymno can pass the message that it is a safe destination and attract travelers to its safe environment.

During the meeting Deputy Mayor Pepi Biliraki also thanked Konstantinos Harokopos, the newly appointed general director of the GNTO office in the US and Canada for his support in promoting Rethymno to the American market.