UN Tourism Teams Up With Thassos Locals to Accelerate Recovery

Thassos, Greece. Photo source: UN Tourism

As part of efforts to accelerate post-Covid tourism recovery and build greater resilience against future shocks, the UN Tourism (formerly known as the UNWTO) announced this week that it had teamed up with Thassos tourism stakeholders and residents for a series of technical cooperation projects.

The project, which was launched on March 8, will be implemented in partnership with UN Tourism affiliate member ICF and the Thassos Municipality and run through to July.

Among others, actions include assessing the effectiveness of marketing initiatives implemented during the pandemic, with a focus on how compatible they are to current tourism trends and demands; researching international best practices, and identifying key tourism markets. In this direction, UN Tourism, ICF, municipal authorities, and local stakeholders will share views on Thassos’ tourism offer.

Photo source: Thassos Municipality

Additionally, a Thassos Residents Study will be carried out through to November collecting information on how local residents view and engage with tourism, with results set to be published by the end of the year.

“This project places Thassos and the local community at the center of direct tourism development policies through synergies and collaborations, by strengthening the diversity and resilience of the sector and therefore laying the foundations for balanced and sustainable tourism development,” said Thassos Mayor Eleftherios Kyriakides.

“The management of tourism is paramount to ensure coordination and identify and minimize potential negative impacts. The inclusion and acknowledgement of residents as key stakeholders is in the right direction; towards a better, more participatory governance that takes into account the interests of local communities,” said Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, head of tourism at ICF.

UN Tourism launched a similar people-first initiative in 2022 for the island of Skiathos.