Central Macedonia Region a Frontrunner in Sustainable Travel Experiences

The Central Macedonia Region is leading the way as a sustainable tourism destination, setting at the same time the example for others to follow, said Central Macedonia Region Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas during the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) annual conference this week.

More specifically, Central Macedonia garnered the highest score – 9.1 – on an INSETE report which examined the perception of Greece and its regions as sustainable travel destinations. Overall, Greece got a score of 8.3.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “The Role of Local Government in the Sustainable Development and Management of Destinations”, Tzitzikostas said Central Macedonia had taken several important steps towards sustainability goals in 2023.

Among others, he said that there had been a 25 percent increase in tourism revenue this year and a corresponding rise in air arrivals at Macedonia Airport; private investments in tourism infrastructure had doubled; film productions in the region had generated 150 million euros in revenue, 130,000 overnight stays and created 4,000 new jobs; the region’s “Macedonian Cuisine” brand was among the top three cuisines named in the World Cooking Cup; the port of Thessaloniki now operating as a homeport saw the inauguration of a new cruise terminal welcoming an upswing in cruise ship arrivals; Makedonia Airport underwent significant upgrades; and together with INSETE and the Bank of Greece, the Central Macedonia Region will be setting up a tourism observatory, an open database for professionals and investors.