The Region of Central Macedonia, in collaboration with the Halkidiki Tourism Organization, the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Pieria Tourism Development and Promotion Organization, participated in the international tourism exhibition IFTM Top Resa 2025, which was held in Paris. 1,658 exhibitors and 32,000 tourism professionals participated in IFTM Top Resa 2025, while 170 destinations were showcased, which demonstrates the special potential of the exhibition.
France is a target market for Central Macedonia, as, according to data from the Institute of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (INSETE) for the period 2023-2024, inbound tourism to Greece from France recorded an increase in terms of arrivals. The existence of direct flights from Aegean and Transavia to Paris significantly helps to establish Thessaloniki as a city break destination for the French market, especially after the announcement by Transavia to add two new weekly flights during the winter season.
The interest of visitors was mainly focused on nature, cultural and gastronomic tourism.
The executives of the Tourism Directorate of the Region of Central Macedonia held meetings with tourism professionals and media representatives, to whom they presented the comparative advantages of Central Macedonia, which make it an ideal 365-day destination. Among others, meetings were held with executives from the BBC, France TV and Wanderlust magazine.
“France is a target market for the Region of Central Macedonia, as there is a constantly increasing flow of visitors, due to the direct Thessaloniki-Paris flights, which continue during the winter season. This is a development that contributes significantly to the emergence of our region as a four-season destination and to the consolidation of Thessaloniki as a city break destination for the French market,” said Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism Vicky Hatzivassiliou.
