On Saturday, 8 November 2025, in Siteia, the annual event of the Association of Cretan Tourist and Travel Agencies (ACTTA) took place, dedicated to honoring the employees who stood out for their performance and dedication in the member travel agencies during 2025. It is noted that the Association is now in its 49th year since its establishment.
This year, the event was hosted for the first time outside Heraklion and served a dual purpose: rewarding professional excellence and showcasing Siteia as an emerging destination for conference and quality tourism.
Michalis Vlatakis: “Siteia deserves the place that belongs to it on the tourism map”
In his address, the president of the Association, Michalis Vlatakis, asked the attendees to observe a minute of silence in memory of the late travel agent Manolis Vorgias, honoring his contribution to tourism in Crete.
Referring to the choice of Siteia as the venue, Mr. Vlatakis noted that it was a personal commitment and vision of many years:
“We are beginning an effort to take beautiful regions like Siteia out of isolation. It has a diamond of an airport, a supportive municipal authority, hospitable residents and opportunities that deserve to be highlighted.”
He also referred to the recent Cardiology Conference held in the city, organized by Professor Giorgos Kochiadakis, noting that it “opened the way for Siteia to enter dynamically into the conference tourism map.”
Season review and challenges
In his review, the president of the Association described this year’s tourism season as positively productive, despite international and domestic challenges.
“The war in Europe and the Middle East, price increases, inflation, and even the ‘strange’ news about legionella did not discourage us. We stood strong and saw an increase in arrivals,” he said, while expressing concern about the absence of substantial development initiatives:
“More people came, but we did not take a step further. We did not see a development law for new investments, nor a plan for training and extending the season.”
Mr. Vlatakis thanked the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, and the Deputy Regional Governor, Kyriakos Kotsoglou, for their support, while calling on everyone “to do everything possible for Siteia to receive what it deserves.”
Employee awards – Excellence in Cretan tourism
At the center of the event were the employees of the travel agencies who stood out for their consistency, courtesy and professionalism.
The awardees received an honorary plaque, a gift voucher of 100 euros from the Cretan Supermarkets Chalkiadakis, as well as participation in a draw for a 1,000-euro cash prize offered by the Association.
The lucky winner of the evening, who received the prize, was Natalie Le Cann (Welcome Holidays).
Mrs. Christina Chalkiadaki once again actively supported the initiative, honoring the people who form the “backbone” of Cretan tourism.
Awardees
DANAOS TRAVEL – Stelios Kofos
CANDIA TRAVEL – Aspasia Drimi
KOURKOUNIS TOURS – Eleftheria Koukouritaki
ILIADES DIACOPES – Giorgos Kallergis
MILLENIUM TRAVEL – Olga Merkulova
M.T.S. – Marilena Alexaki
AVRA TOURS – Mariana Flouris
START TRAVEL – Paraskevi Kamaratou
TREND TOURISTIC SERVICES – Stelios Parlamas
TUI HELLAS – Olympia Bourvachaki
HELLENIC ZEUS – Sofia Mourtzaki
D.T.S. INCOMING HELLAS – Polymnia Tzortzaki
TEZ TOUR – Emmanouil Simitsakis
STAR BUS – Maria Matthaiou
AMBOTIS TOURS – Yolanda Miliou
TRAVEL SWEETY – Maria Sukhaver
LE GRAND TRAVEL – Froso Lyroni
BIG TRAVEL – Aliki Saridaki
CRETAN HOLIDAYS – Panagiotis Papadakis
HOLIDAY LINES GREECE – Colinda van der Toom
KOSMOS TRAVEL – Thodoris Sotiriadis
WELCOME HOLIDAYS – Natalie Le Cann
SOLMAR TOURS / UNION – Tasos Baradakis
BLUE AEGEAN – Anastasia Karika
TRAVEL EXCHANGE – Georgia Vogiatzis
