EVENTS

The long-term strategy to promote Athens to new markets is continuing with a focus on strengthening connections to the growing tourist market in India. In December 2023, fifteen influential travel agents and journalists representing the Indian tourism market were in Athens to join a FAM trip organized by the This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau of the City of Athens in collaboration with the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos and with the support of Gulf Air .

The participants had a first-hand experience of the festive vibes in Athens and toured some of the most important historic and modern cultural landmarks of the city.

They had the opportunity to learn about the rich tourism product and infrastructure, enjoyed Greek gastronomy and hospitality, and explored the many leisure options that the city offers during the winter months.

The visit took place in the context of the cooperation between the This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau of the City of Athens and the Athens International Airport, with the aim of building momentum in the fast-growing tourism market of India and with the strategy to create a direct flight to Athens.The FAM trip is just one of many actions developed by the This is Athens-CVB and Athens International Airport to build momentum in the Indian market, including the participation by the This is Athens team at India's largest tourism exhibitions such as OTM India.

The CEO of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA), Epameinondas Mousios, noted: "The initiative from This is Athens and Athens International Airport is part of the city's efforts to build momentum in new markets. This FAM trip was a fantastic opportunity to show Athens to Indian professionals who saw firsthand the city's significant potential in the field of conference tourism, leisure travel, weddings and film productions."

The Director of Communications & Marketing of Athens International Airport, Ioanna Papadopoulou, said: "Just before the end of 2023 - a record year in terms of traffic for the airport and Athens - we were very pleased to collaborate with This is Athens-CVB to host representatives of the Indian market, which is a strategic priority for the Athens airport. With shared goals and a spirit of collaboration for the future of our destination, we are building dynamic actions for the Indian market to know and enjoy the Athenian experience."

* The action was implemented within the framework of the Action "Development and Promotion of the Tourist and Cultural Identity of Athens in the post-Covid era", which has been included in the Operational Program "Attica 2014-2020" , OPS 5104609/Subproject 1.