The Municipality of Aristotle in Halkidiki has launched a long-term promotional campaign targeting the North American tourism market and the global Greek diaspora. This initiative is part of a three-year strategic plan. The first actions took place in New York City on December 1–2, 2025.
B2B Meetings with Travel Agencies
Maria Pappa, the Municipality’s Tourism Marketing Advisor, in cooperation with the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) North America, presented the programs “Aristotle, Companion” to U.S. travel agencies catering to cultural travelers across Greece, and “Holidays in the Homeland” to diaspora-focused agencies. The programs aim to attract Greeks to Eastern Halkidiki and promote conference and cultural events throughout the municipality. In May 2026, participants will take part in a targeted fam trip highlighting the trilogy of “recreation – culture – variety.”
Presentation at the Hellenic Cultural Center NYC
The “Holidays in the Homeland” program, set to feature in travel catalogs targeting the diaspora, was presented to a B2C audience at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, courtesy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The presentation included an interview with Greek director Yannis Smaragdis, coinciding with the world premiere of his film “Kapodistrias”. Attendees included diaspora organization representatives, cultural leaders, and media personnel.
Radio Interview
The municipality’s promotional efforts were further reinforced by a radio interview with Mayor Stelios Valianos on Cosmos FM, a key Greek-American radio station in the U.S.
Press Conference at the Greek Consulate in NYC
The campaign concluded with a press conference at the Greek Consulate in New York, where the municipality showcased comparative advantages, attractions, and cultural landmarks, including references to Aristotle, Mount Athos, literary figures like Alexis Zorbas, the area’s beaches, mountains, gastronomy, pilgrimage tourism, cycling routes, and walking trails enhanced with digital guidance via the “Aristotle Companion” app. Several diaspora media outlets covered the event, and a press trip involving American journalists is planned.
Mayor’s Statement
Mayor Stelios Valianos highlighted the campaign’s significance: linking the global appeal of Halkidiki with the U.S. audience and the Greek diaspora worldwide. He emphasized New York as a cultural and economic hub that amplifies the reach and impact of the municipality’s messaging, connecting universal symbols like Aristotle, Mount Athos, and modern cultural initiatives, such as cinema, to a global audience.
This campaign represents a strategic effort to place the Municipality of Aristotle at the forefront of cultural and tourism promotion in the North American market, targeting both diaspora and international travelers.
