Thessaloniki in the Running to Host UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference 2024

Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Greek Tourism Ministry recently submitted a nomination file to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for Thessaloniki to be the host city of the UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference to be held in 2024.

The file was submitted by initiative of Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti who holds the ministerial portfolio for tourism education and special forms of tourism.

According to the ministry, hosting the conference would offer the opportunity to promote all wine producing areas of Greece, encourage investment in wine tourism and further strengthen Thessaloniki’s position in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions) market.

Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti with representatives of TCB at the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair. Photo source: Elena Rapti

Rapti discussed the city’s nomination during a meeting with representatives of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB) on the sidelines of the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair. TCB was represented by the bureau’s new president Prodromos Monastiridis; vice president, Eleni Sotiriou; and managing director/secretary general Periklis Magoulas.

Why Thessaloniki was chosen

Thessaloniki is the only Greek city to be included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities of Gastronomy network, a distinction that has placed it on international tourist maps, as a gastronomic capital.

Furthermore, the city has a rich history and culture and is located in an area with large vineyards, recognized wine routes and many wineries to visit.

Hosting the event will offer increased international exposure for Greece’s wine tourism offerings and promote Greece as a leading destination for wine lovers.

Photo source: Thessaloniki Wine Show.

The 7th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held on 22-24 November 2023 in La Rioja, Spain.

During the event experts from across the growing field of wine tourism will work together to find concrete solutions to make tourism an enabler of the way forward towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future for communities.