Major tourism professionals from around the world had the chance to participate in a fam trip full of experiences, starring Attica, its accommodation infrastructure, its gastronomy and cultural monuments.
The Region of Attica continues its tourism promotion actions, with the invaluable organisational assistance of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) and the City of Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).
In this context, a targeted fam trip took place in Attica, hosting major tourism professionals from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, China, Croatia, Holland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, the Czech Republic and other countries.
From 9 to 11 October 2019, representatives of the international leisure and M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) travel industry visited Attica and experienced the reasons that make the region a multidimensional collection of destinations, for all year round, short break holidays.
Regional Governor of Attica, George Patoulis
On the occasion of this tourism promotion action, the Regional Governor of Attica stated that “the brand name “Attica” can become the passport that will allow visitors to discover destinations on a cultural, health & wellness and gastronomic level. Our aim is to reinforce Attica’s extroversion, in order to make it a 12-month tourist destination. This can be achieved through integrated planning, flexibility and collective actions”.
The 34 foreign buyers hosted in Attica represented major tour operators and M.I.C.E organisers from all over Europe and China (HelmsBriscoe, B-Tours Shanghai, GO Travel Agency Ltd, FTI Touristik GmbH, Seauton International, BCD Meetings & Events et al.).
During their stay in Attica, participants had the chance to visit monuments and museums of the unique ancient cultural heritage of the region such as the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio and the Acropolis Museum, venues of modern culture such as the new Modern Art Museum of the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. They toured stunning natural landscapes and exceptional hotel and conference facilities, and got a taste of Attica’s diverse gastronomic scene.
On Friday, 11 October 2019, at a central hotel in Athens, the Executive Regional Councilor for Tourism Promotion, Theodore Koutsogianopoulos, welcomed the foreign guests and delivered a greeting speech on behalf of the Regional Governor of Attica, Mr. Patoulis. Following this, the Head of the Region of Attica Directorate of Tourism, Athina Kolyva, presented to the foreign buyers the features of mature tourism products offered throughout Attica, elaborating on the unlimited possibilities of the region for short breaks all around the year. The educational sessions continued with the particularly interesting presentations by Eliza Tsolakou from ACVB, Irini Sidiropoulou – Sales Manager North Greece & Balkan countries at AEGEAN Airlines, in cooperation with Elly Politou – Head of Destination Marketing at AEGEAN Airlines, Apostolos Paradellis from Google and Maria Alifraghi from the Product Club “Attica Wine and Food Experience” (AWAFE).
The afternoon of the same day was dedicated to networking. The executives of the Region of Attica Directorate of Tourism conducted consecutive B2B meetings with selected tour operators from Europe and China, who were given comprehensive printed and electronic tourism promotion material of the Region of Attica.
The fam trip of foreign tourism agents was organised under the coordination of the Executive Regional Councilor for Tourism Promotion, Theodore Koutsogianopoulos, who stated that Attica boasts significant infrastructure for the organisation of major international conferences and can become a 12-month leisure and business travel destination.
Special thanks for the organisation of this tourism promotion action are addressed to the grand sponsor, AEGEAN Airlines, whose contribution is based on the framework of major synergies in tourism, which the Region of Attica effectively supports, as well as to other significant sponsors, such as the Acropolis Museum, the new B&E Goulandris Museum, the “Istioploikos” restaurant and the Intercontinental Athenaeum Athens Hotel.
