Heraklion, Crete, to be Promoted as City Break Destination

Artistic Director of the Cultural and Conference Center of Heraklion, Myron Michailidis, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokerinos. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Promoting the city of Heraklion on the island of Crete as a city break destination for year-round visits was the main topic of discussion on Tuesday between Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokerinos.

During a meeting at the Municipality of Heraklion, Kefalogianni informed the mayor that a Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) will be established in the city in accordance with the ministry’s new tourism law, 5121/2024.

According to the minister, Heraklion will be included in the strategy of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) for the promotion of Greek city break destinations to markets abroad.

Photo Source: Municipality of Heraklion

“Heraklion can offer different experiences to travelers throughout the year, become a city break destination, serve as a homeporting hub for cruises, and highlight even more the local cuisine, which was recently distinguished with a mark of quality by UNESCO,” minister Kefalogianni said.

The two officials also discussed matters concerning the port of Heraklion as a cruise home porting hub and agreed that medical tourism and sports tourism are two niche markets that should be developed in this area of northern Crete.

Cultural tourism and conference tourism are also of interest to both the ministry and the Municipality of Heraklion. According to the minister, the Venetian building where the municipal authority is housed stands as a “fine example” of a unique structure of historical value, capable of attracting the international conference tourism market.

Artistic Director of the Cultural and Conference Center of Heraklion, Myron Michailidis, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokerinos. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

The meeting was also attended by Myron Michailidis, artistic director of the Cultural and Conference Center of Heraklion, which is also housed in the same Venetian building. The center is the largest institution of its kind on the island of Crete, with the most extensive infrastructure for cultural events and conferences. Michailidis agreed to cooperate with the Tourism Ministry for the center’s further development.

Kefalogianni and the mayor also highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Heraklion, which visitors can admire in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, as well as the city’s contemporary cultural offerings, which should be further utilized as a tourism development resource.