- By Viki Tryfona
After 44 years of continuous presence in the Greek and international market, the historic Heraklio Travel, which was started in 1981 by the Rigas family, is turning a page and acquiring a new corporate identity. At the press conference held by the brothers Panos and Vivian Rigas in Athens, the company’s rebranding to Regal Travel Management Company was announced, with the aim – as stated – of expressing extroversion, international dimension and new vision of development.
The renaming, as the leaders emphasized, is not a simple change of image, but a strategic evolution that signals the size and perspective of the company. “The name Regal draws its inspiration from the Latin word rex, which means “king”, but also from our surname. It reflects the quality, nobility and reliability that we want the brand to exude”, noted Vice President, Vivian Riga.
A 90 million euro travel agency
Today, Regal Travel records an annual sales cycle of 90 million euros, employs more than 100 employees and collaborates with over 500 external partners. In its course from 2015 to today, turnover has more than doubled, while the corporate department’s clients have exceeded 820. The company manages over 300,000 airline tickets annually and has developed a strong presence in both inbound and outbound tourism.
Its core services include corporate travel, MICE events (conferences, trade fairs, incentive trips), solutions for the shipping industry, as well as tailor-made packages for inbound tourism. Special emphasis is placed on digital tools, such as the B2B platform tickettravelhotel.com with access to 800,000 hotels, as well as GDS systems that offer direct connectivity to all major airlines.
Strategic partnerships with airlines – The case of Air Arabia
One of Regal Travel’s strong points is its general representation of airlines. President and CEO, Panos Rigas, spoke extensively about the partnership with Air Arabia, which is based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The company launched daily flights from Athens to the UAE in 2009, which it suspended due to circumstances but restarted in 2024. The plan soon includes new connections from Greece to Morocco and Egypt, thus strengthening access to two important markets for Greek tourism and making Greece a strong hub between the Gulf countries and North Africa.
Tourist flows from America and Asia
Regal Travel is particularly active in inbound tourism, with the main sources of customers being America and Asia – particularly Israel, the Gulf countries and China. In 2019, the company had transported 25,000 Chinese visitors to Greece, but the pandemic abruptly interrupted the flows. Today, there is a gradual recovery, but pre-pandemic levels have not yet been restored.
The most popular Greek destinations requested by Regal customers are Athens, Santorini, Mykonos and Zakynthos, while there is an increased interest in themed trips and luxury experiences.
From Athens to Dubai – and next stop Asia
Extroversion is a key element of Regal’s strategy. After establishing an office in Dubai, the management plans to open another office in Asia, without yet revealing which country the move will take place in. The aim is to strengthen access to markets with dynamic demand, such as China and the Gulf countries.
A brand with an international orientation
The choice of the new name, beyond the word play with the surname Rigas, indicates a more international perspective. The company wants to overcome the limits of “Heraklio” which referred to locality, and present a brand with prestige and global recognition. “Our renaming to Regal is not just a name change, but a strategic evolution that reflects our vision for the future,” Vivian Riga emphasized.
By combining traditional values ??- such as reliability, quality and personal service – and new dynamics in digital tools, international partnerships and strategic expansion, Regal Travel Management Company aspires to continue to play a leading role on the Greek tourism map and strengthen its presence in international markets.
