Athens Voted Best Cultural Destination and City Tourist Board in Europe

Athens won two prestigious titles at the World Travel Awards (WTA) European Gala Ceremony 2022, which took place recently in Mallorca, Spain.

In its 29th year, the World Travel Awards is known as the leading authority that recognises and rewards the travel and tourism industry’s leading lights from across Europe.

Up against Paris, Rome, London, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Prague and Venice, the cultural richness of Athens earned the ultimate travel award for Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination.

The second major win of the Greek capital was the title of Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board. Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon, London and Rome were nominated in the same category.

In an announcement, the Municipality of Athens said the honor of gaining the title of Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board comes as a recognition of the strategic efforts made to strengthen the city’s tourist development following its ranking last year as 6th top meeting and conference destination in Europe and 8th in the world by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

According to Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, the accolades are proof of the Greek capital’s rising performance in the field of tourism in recent years and thanked the city’s Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) and the This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau for all promotional efforts.

“Athens now has upgraded tourist infrastructure and services and can be an ideal year–round destination offering unique authentic experiences,” the mayor  said.

ADDMA: Athens can further develop as a resilient, sustainable city

Epaminondas Mousios, the CEO of Athens Development and Destination Management Agency, represented Athens at the WTA European Gala Ceremony in Mallorca and stated that the awards prove that “Athens is and can further develop as a resilient, sustainable and accessible city”.

“The city’s Development and Destination Management Agency has effectively managed and promoted Athens’ contemporary tourist identity,” he said.

Hailed as the most coveted awards in the tourism industry the World Travel Awards this year honored Greek hotels, destinations and companies in a wide range of categories, showcasing that the country is considered a leading global destination.

The event’s 29^th edition was attended by travel industry VIPs from 40 nations.