Thessaly’s tourism promotion took a significant step forward with the launch of the new direct Charleroi–Volos flight by Ryanair, highlighted during a special event in Brussels on Thursday, 11 December. The event showcased Thessaly as a versatile year-round tourism destination, enhancing both accessibility and international visibility for the region.
Hosted at the Greek Embassy in Belgium, the initiative was led by Anastasia Adamopoulou, Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism of Thessaly, in collaboration with the Embassy and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) Benelux office. The opening address was delivered by Greece’s Ambassador to Belgium, Sofia Grammata, who emphasized the importance of the new air route for strengthening bilateral relations and promoting Greek tourism in Central European markets.
The event featured presentations from Adamopoulou and other key figures, including Nikoleta Nikolopoulou, Head of the GNTO Benelux Office; Christos Giakouvis, President of the Larissa Chamber of Commerce; Thekla Kammenou, representative of the Magnesia Chamber and board member; and Christos Kotoulas, representative in Germany of the distillery and winery K. Tsililis S.A. Speakers addressed issues ranging from tourism promotion and entrepreneurship to hospitality and the promotion of Thessaly’s local products.
In her keynote presentation, Adamopoulou positioned Thessaly as a four-season destination combining natural landscapes, history, culture, gastronomy, and authentic local traditions. She highlighted thematic tourism offerings such as hiking, cycling, wine tourism, and gastronomy, which provide visitors with unique experiences throughout the year.
Sustainable tourism development was also emphasized, noting that Thessaly, with an area comparable to Flanders, combines alpine landscapes, fertile plains, and extensive coastal zones, offering a high diversity of experiences. The region is systematically working toward creating a unified tourism ecosystem aimed at increasing international recognition, enhancing visitor experiences, and achieving balanced regional tourism development.
The Brussels event brought together a delegation of Thessalian institutional and business representatives, including members of the Larissa and Magnesia Chambers of Commerce, as well as stakeholders from the hotel, conference, and local manufacturing sectors.
In addition, a working meeting between Deputy Regional Governor Adamopoulou, Thekla Kammenou, and Geraldine Demaesenner, B2B Business Developer at Charleroi Airport, focused on the new Charleroi–Volos route and explored opportunities to further strengthen air connectivity and tourism promotion of Thessaly in Belgium and the wider Benelux region.
