Attica Strengthens Ties with French Market at IFTM Top Resa 2024 Expo

Photo source: Region of Attica

Aiming to enhance its presence in French and international markets, the Region of Attica took part in the recent International & French Travel Market (IFTM) Top Resa 2024 tourism exhibition that ran September 17-19 in Paris.

As a co-exhibitor at the pavilion of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), the region highlighted its tourism strengths and showcased its unique appeal to industry professionals.

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias attended the exhibition in Paris and met with global tour operators and tourism executives. His meetings focused on boosting tourist flows from France to Attica and forging new partnerships to promote the region’s offerings.

Showcasing Attica’s appeal at IFTM 2024

New Metropolitan Attica President Dimitris Fragakis, Attica Region Governor Nikos Hardalias, GNTO General Secretary Andreas Fiorentinos. Photo source: Region of Attica

IFTM Top Resa is Europe’s leading international tourism exhibition, with a special emphasis on business tourism. The event draws over 50,000 attendees, including 30,000 professionals, and hosts 1,175 exhibitors from more than 100 countries. It serves as a key networking platform for building partnerships in the tourism industry.

Attica’s officials used the opportunity to present the region’s cultural and gastronomic wealth, enabling Greek professionals to promote their products, exchange knowledge with foreign counterparts, and stay updated on global trends.

“We invite French and all European citizens to discover Attica’s exceptional offerings, from its rich cultural heritage, which includes world heritage monuments, to cutting-edge art spaces,” said Governor Hardalias.

Strengthening air connections

Photo source: Region of Attica

Recognizing the importance of aviation in tourism, during the IFTM 2024 expo, Governor Hardalias focused on building stronger relationships with airlines such as Transavia and Air France to boost French and international arrivals.

In his meeting with Transavia Chief Commercial Officer Nikolas Henion, Hardalias proposed adding new routes from Bordeaux and Marseille to Athens, aiming to increase the flow of French tourists to Attica.

Additionally, Hardalias met with Air France Marketing Planning Manager Frederic Ribe to discuss strengthening the connection between Athens and Paris. He also discussed promoting Attica through the airline’s digital channels, including its website and newsletters. It should be noted that during the days of the IFTM Top Resa, Air France announced that a new daily Athens-Paris winter route would start in November.

Engaging with French tour operators

Photo source: Region of Attica

During the IFTM 2024 expo, Hardalias also met with Folco Aloisi of FRAM, France’s largest tour operator, to discuss strategies for increasing French tourism to Attica. The focus was on promoting the region’s rich culinary scene, cultural experiences, and routes, while highlighting the cosmopolitan appeal of the Saronic Gulf islands. The goal was to boost both visitor numbers and their length of stay and spending in the region.

New state-of-the-art data center in Attica

Among key meetings, Governor Hardalias met with Olivier Micheli, CEO of DATA4 GROUP, which is set to build a cutting-edge data center in Peania, Attica. The 500-million-euro project, slated to break ground in early November, is expected to create numerous jobs and bolster the region’s technological infrastructure.

Engaging with French Media to promote Attica

Photo source: Region of Attica

While in Paris, Hardalias met with Sabine Troccaz, International Sales Director of EURONEWS, to discuss strategies for promoting Attica through television, digital, and social media. They also explored a potential strategic cooperation agreement extending to 2028, aimed at positioning Attica as a year-round destination.

Additionally, Hardalias was featured in an interview with Quotidiene magazine, where he highlighted Attica’s vital role as Greece’s economic and cultural hub, offering a rich blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and natural beauty.

In another key meeting, Hardalias met with Caroline Prost of “Les Éditions d’Ailleurs” to discuss further promotional strategies for showcasing Attica’s appeal as a destination for all seasons.