Attica Showcases ‘Greater Athens’ Appeal at WTM London 2024

Photo source: Region of Attica

The Region of Attica is showcasing its rich history, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern tourism infrastructure at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 exhibition taking place at the Excel expo center.

The regional authority’s main focus this year is rebranding Attica, home to Greece’s capital city, Athens, as “The Greater Athens Region”, positioning it as an appealing destination for international visitors.

Deputy Governor of Attica Region Christina Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias and Ambassador of Greece to the UK Yannis Tsaousis. Photo source: Region of Attica

“Our goal is to promote sustainable tourism and raise Attica’s profile as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe and beyond,” said Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias at the fair.

“From cultural landmarks and gastronomy to wine trails and major investments along the Athenian Riviera and Faliro Bay Park, Attica reflects our vision and the hard work we’ve invested,” he added.

Promoting Attica’s global tourism appeal

Photo source: Region of Attica

At WTM London, Governor Hardalias is meeting with officials, travel agencies, and journalists to strengthen Attica’s global tourism presence.

The governor noted that the region’s strategy, developed in cooperation with Greece’s Tourism Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), aims to elevate Attica as a leading market player and destination.

Networking at WTM London

Deputy Governor of Attica Region Christina Kefalogianni (third from left) and Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias (fifth from left) with exhibitor’s at the Greek stand among which were representatives of Mitsis Hotels, Sofitel Athens Airport President and CEO Jenny Mitsis and Mitsis Hotels CEO Stavros Mitsis. Photo source: Region of Attica

Governor Hardalias and Dimitris Fragakis, president of Nea Mitropolitiki Attiki S.A. (the development body for the Region of Attica), engaged with key tourism industry players at WTM London, aiming to promote Attica as a prime destination.

Their meetings included:

– Expedia Group: Discussions on a long-term collaboration to enhance Attica’s appeal in United States and Australian markets.
– Bloomberg: Explorations with David Merritt, Nikki Ekstein, and Anne Kawalerski about creating content around Attica’s unique travel experiences, coupled with digital promotions through Bloomberg’s channels.
– British Airways: Talks with senior directors Fatma Hawkins and Mark Palister to feature Attica across the airline’s digital platforms, publications, and newsletters.

Nea Mitropolitiki Attiki S.A. President Dimitris Fragakis (second from left) and Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias (second from right) with representatives of Expedia Group. Photo source: Region of Attica

Further meetings were held with Courtney Kobylanski of The Washington Post, Tania Concialdi from The Wall Street Journal, and Sophie Davies of The New York Times to discuss potential coverage of Attica across their extensive media networks.

Spotlight on Attica’s wine heritage

In an exclusive WTM London event, Attica hosted a wine-tasting session titled “Savatiano: A Deep Dive into Greece’s Classic Grape,” led by Giannis Karakasis, a Master of Wine. Thirteen local wines were presented, underscoring the region’s winemaking tradition and appeal.

Photo source: Region of Attica

Addressing overtourism concerns

When asked about the risks of overtourism, Hardalias clarified that “this is not an issue” for Attica or Athens, unlike in other destinations abroad.

“We are far from facing overtourism challenges,” he said, noting that the region continuously assesses infrastructure capacity and the sustainability of upcoming projects. “Our invitation to visitors remains open, as Attica has the capacity to welcome more tourists.”

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias speaking to journalists during the WTM London 2024 expo. Photo source: Region of Attica

WTM London 2024 continues until Thursday, November 7.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.

Stay tuned for news and updates by following our WTM London 2024 Special.