GNTO Aims to Boost Syros’ Tourism Appeal in Turkish Market

Semahat Rana Korgül, Kubilay Sakarya, Gamze Biran, tour guide Kyriaki Economidou, Fulya Sezen and Serkan Ennaç. Photo source: GNTO

Turkish journalists and influencers recently had the opportunity to explore the attractions of the Cycladic island of Syros, courtesy of a press trip organized by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

The objective of the trip was to introduce new Greek destinations to the Turkish tourism market, with Syros being relatively lesser-known among travelers from the neighboring country, as highlighted by the GNTO.

From May 30 to June 6, Semahat Rana Korgül, Serkan Ennaç, Fulya Sezen, Kubilay Sakarya, and Gamze Biran experienced the beauty of Syros, discovering its traditional settlements and significant cultural heritage sites.

Throughout their stay, they savored Greek cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, including the renowned “San Michali” cheese, a product with Protected Designation of Origin status since 1994. They also enjoyed traditional local delicacies such as loukoumi, chalva pie, and pastelaries (dried figs with sesame).

Serkan Ennaç; Dimitra Bambali, head of the GNTO’s branch in Turkey; Alexandros Athanasiou, mayor of Syros; Fulya Sezen; Kubilay Sakarya; Semahat Rana Korgül; and Gamze Biran. Photo source: GNTO

According to the Greek tourism board, the Turkish delegation was intrigued by Hermoupolis, the capital of Syros and the Cyclades, known as the city of the ancient Greek god Mercury. Recently acclaimed as the “second most welcoming city in the world” by the Traveler Review Awards 2024, Hermoupolis impressed the guests with its narrow streets and distinctive neoclassical architecture.

Notable landmarks visited by the Turkish guests included the Town Hall, designed by renowned architect Ernst Ziller, the Apollo Municipal Theatre of Hermoupolis by Italian architect Pietro Sampo, and the local mansions in the aristocratic district of Vaporia.

Additionally, they ventured to Ano Syros, where they enjoyed panoramic views of the capital and delved into the life and music of Markos Vamvakaris.

The Turkish journalists and influencers at Ano Syros. Photo source: GNTO

Their itinerary also included visits to the Industrial Museum and the Hermoupolis Heritage Museum, housed in a former textile factory owned by the Zisimatos family, now transformed into the Ermoupolis Textile Museum.

Intrigued by the harmonious coexistence of Orthodox and Catholic communities, they explored the Orthodox Holy Church of Agios Nikolaos, the patron saint of Ermoupolis, the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, and the Cathedral of Agios Georgios (Saint George), which serves as the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Syros atop Ano Syros.

As the culmination of their trip, the Turkish media embarked on a boat tour to the northern side of Syros, known for its mountainous terrain and inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network. There, they enjoyed swimming at the beaches of Barbarousa, Aetos, Lia, Megas Lakkos, Marmari, and Grammata. Their final stop was the chapel of Saint Stefanos, nestled within a sea cave and accessible by boat or hiking route from Galissas.

The press trip was organized by the GNTO’s branch in Turkey, in collaboration with the tourism office of the Syros Hermoupolis Municipality and Deputy Mayor Christianna Papitsi.