A decisive step for the sustainable and organized tourism development of the Municipality of Heraklion is the establishment and operation of a Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO).
To this end, the Heraklion Municipal Council approved the proposal of the Municipal Authority for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism. Through this cooperation, the Municipality will receive technical and scientific support for the creation and operation of the DMMO. The project is implemented within the framework of Action 16931 “Tourism Development” of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, with the Municipality of Heraklion being among the 13 Municipalities and Regions of the country and among the 20 destinations selected for participation.
The Destination Management and Promotion Organization will function as an integrated mechanism for the sustainable management of the destination, offering:
Scientific studies for the mapping of tourism activity.
Strategic planning for the optimal management of the destination.
Support in the establishment and staffing of the Organization, based on international standards.
Development of innovative tools for the promotion and management of Heraklion as a destination.
Wider benefits for the local community
Wider benefits to the local economy
The establishment of the DMMO does not exclusively benefit tourism, but also the local community and entrepreneurship, as it will act as a growth lever, connecting the tourism sector with sectors such as:
Agri-food
Cultural heritage
New technologies
In parallel, the organization will utilize financial tools, such as:
European programs (Interreg, Horizon Europe, Creative Europe, Green Deal, LIFE)
Funding from the NSRF 2021-2027
Partnerships with private entities and international investors
In his intervention, the Deputy Mayor for Finance & Tourism, Giorgos Agrimanakis, stated that participation in this action is a great opportunity for Heraklion. The creation of a Destination Management and Promotion Organization is not just an administrative process, but a strategic plan that, if implemented correctly, will bring significant benefits to tourism and the local economy. The DMMO can become a pillar of development, connecting tourism with local businesses, attracting new investments, and shaping a sustainable future for our destination.
Finally, with his eyes on the new tourism year and bearing in mind the messages from the presence of the Municipality of Heraklion at the international tourism exhibition “ITB Berlin”, from which he recently returned, Mr. Agrimanakis stressed that 2025 is emerging as a particularly important tourism year for Crete and Heraklion.
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