Athens will be Host Destination for World Tunnel Congress 2023

Lykavitos Hill, Athens. Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Athens in May 2023 will host the World Tunnel Congress (WTC), the annual event of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AIES).

The World Tunnel Congress is held in a different city every year, hosting over 2,000 delegates from all over the world. It also includes a technical exhibition with the participation of some of the sector’s largest companies from around the globe.

Set to take place under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Athens’ congress will be the largest event of the construction sector ever hosted by Greece.

Athens’ candidacy was promoted by the Greek Tunneling Society (GTS). The Greek capital was announced host city on February 10, after a voting procedure among the 48 members states of ITA-AITES.

Athens competed against Antalya, Turkey, and came first with 33 votes.

The GNTO supported the Greek candidacy from the very beginning.

“Athens ranks among the top 20 destinations for conferences and other corporate events, thanks to the city’s accommodation, conference infrastructure, the numerous direct air links all year round, the famous Greek gastronomy, the unique Greek culture and heritage, and the well known Mediterranean climate,” GNTO President Angela Gerekou said in a promo video for the city’s candidacy.

During the last 25 years, Greece has constructed over 350km of tunnels for highways, railways and hydraulic infrastructure projects.

Furthermore, according to Ioannis Fikiris, President of the Greek Tunneling Society, numerous infrastructure projects are scheduled to take place in Athens during 2023, “providing many opportunities for exciting and didactic technical visits”.

The World Tunnel Congress 2023 will take place at the Megaron – Athens Concert Hall.