Halkidiki Shows its Alternative Tourism Forms to French Market

The Halkidiki Tourism Organization (HTO) presented the destination’s alternative forms of tourism to French travel professionals during the annual IFTM Top Resa expo in Paris held October 5-8.

The exhibition this year attracted over 200 destinations, 1,700 brands and 34,000 tourism professionals, and hosted 150 conferences.

The Halkidiki Tourism Organization participated in IFTM Top Resa as a co-exhibitor of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and organized a number of pre-scheduled meetings between Greek and French tourism professionals with the aim to increase tourism flows from France and extend the tourism season.

As the organization highlights in an announcement, the French traveler is profiled as an “explorer” that seeks alternative tourism options and does not settle for just sea & sun during holidays.

“This traveler profile is a perfect match with what Halkidiki has to offer during all seasons,” the organization said.

Air connectivity is key

During the IFTM Top Resa expo, HTO General Director Giorgos Broutzas met with Transavia executives and discussed the agreement recently announced by Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias that foresees the increase of available seats to Greece by 50 percent.

The airline executives also said they would be considering extending flights to Greek destinations throughout 2022.

Thessaloniki Tourism Organization President Voula Patoulidou; Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias; Halkidiki Tourism Organization President Giorgos Broutzas.

Halkidiki is easily accessible by car from Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport which in 2019 welcomed 39,784 visitors from France. In 2020, the number dropped to 22,020 due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The number of air travelers from France to Greece in 2021 is expected to reach 30,000.

During the expo, Broutzas also met with representatives of French travel agencies and organizations active in alternative tourism, as well as printed and online media.

Moreover, the HTO announced plans to organize fam trips for French tourism professionals before the opening of hotels in Halkidiki for the next tourism season. The fam trips will be held in collaboration with the GNTO service in France.

The last day of IFTM Top Resa was dedicated to the French audience. Visitors had the opportunity to visit the stand of Halkidiki and get a copy of the organization’s new printed material with information on the area’s archaeological sites and activities.