The GNTO is implementing direct promotional actions for the positive promotion of Santorini in Greece’s target tourist markets, at the initiative of the organization’s general secretary, Andreas Fiorentinou, in collaboration with the island’s mayor, Nikos Zorzos.
In this context, since April 24, the editor-in-chief of Germany’s leading tourist magazine FVW (fvw.de), Claus Hindebrandt, and the journalist of the equally influential Touristik Aktuell (touristik-aktuell.de), Sylvia Raschke, have been on the island.
The two German journalists, accompanied by Nikoleta Lekanidi, head of the Greek National Tourist Board Germany Service, which is organizing the press trip, were given a tour of the island’s top attractions, visited archaeological sites and wineries, and took a boat tour of the caldera and the volcano.
They also met with Mr. Zorzos, who granted them an interview, in the presence of the president of the Municipal Council, Georgia Nomiko. The mayor of Santorini presented the island’s comparative advantages, in addition to its rare geomorphology, emphasizing its centuries-old historical and cultural heritage, the possibilities it offers for walking tourism, such as the Fira – Oia, Perissa – Ancient Thira paths, etc., its great wine tradition, as well as its excellent agricultural production, which includes, among other things, unique products (special varieties of eggplant, tomatoes, etc.).
Mr. Zorzos emphasized that the island has an annual capacity of 3.6 million visitors, while he also referred to the pioneering program implemented by the Municipality to avoid overcrowding, with scheduled, discrete cruise ship arrivals each day, with a limit of 8,000 per day. He also made extensive references to the neighboring island of Thirasia, which has two settlements, is ideal for gentle tourism, and the ancient settlement of the early Bronze Age was recently discovered there.
The journalistic trip concludes today (28/4), while the tributes to Santorini will be published in May 2025, highlighting the uniqueness of the island and the excellent preparation of the local authorities to welcome travelers.
Santorini charms (also) the Romanian tourist market
Romanian journalists from the Ant 3 – CNN and TukTuk networks, the most important media in the country, also traveled to Santorini on a press trip organized by the EOT Service of Romania from 23 to 26 April.
During their stay on the island, the Romanian journalistic mission had the opportunity to document the main resources and thematic experiences it offers (Prehistoric Museum of Thira, Akrotiri, beaches, wineries, etc.), while also conducting interviews with Mr. Zorzos and representatives of tourism organizations, in which it was emphasized that Santorini remains a completely safe tourist destination, ready to welcome its numerous visitors.
The relevant reports are expected to be broadcast in the coming weeks, as the Romanian tourist market is particularly interested in the situation prevailing on the island in view of the summer season.
Within May, the GNTO is planning the implementation of other relevant actions from the markets of Serbia, the UK UK and Ireland, North America, France, the Netherlands and Italy, with the aim of more intensively promoting positive messages for Santorini as a top of mind destination and further strengthening trust in international markets.
In the photo: From the meeting of German journalists with the mayor of Santorini. From left, the editor of Touristik Aktuell, S. Raschke, the head of the German National Tourist Office, N. Lekanidi, the mayor of Santorini, N. Zorzos, the president of the Santorini Municipal Council, G. Nomiko, and the editor-in-chief of FVW, K. Hindebrandt.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
