The consolidation of Thessaloniki as a city break destination for the French market, on the occasion of the addition of two flights per week by the French airline during the winter season, was the result of a meeting between the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, and the CEO of the airline Transavia, Mr. Olivier Mazzucchelli. The meeting also explored ways of cooperation, both through a co-advertising program and familiarization trips for agents and journalists.
During her visit to Paris, where the international tourism exhibition IFTM – Top Resa 2025 is taking place (September 23-25, 2025), the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, accompanied by the new President of the Hellenic Tourism Organization, Ms. Angela Varela, toured the GNTO pavilion and spoke with co-exhibitors, representatives of Regions, Municipalities and private businesses.
In the context of the exhibition, Ms. Kefalogianni and Ms. Varela had additional meetings with executives of tour operators and airlines, as well as travel agents.
Among other things, a working meeting was held with high-ranking executives of the important tour operators Thalasso N°1 and FRAM/Karavel for our country, during which the course of travel traffic and bookings until the end of the year was assessed.
The priorities of the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy for 2026 and prospects for cooperation for the new year were also presented, with the aim of maintaining and/or increasing travel flows, highlighting new tourist products and Greek destinations.
In addition, the Minister met with the Commercial Director of the AIR FRANCE/KLM airline group, Mr. Frédéric Descours. During the meeting, the prospects for strengthening the existing direct flights of the French carrier to our country to Heraklion, Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos were discussed.
The issue of a possible extension of the period of operation of these flights was also raised, as well as the creation of combined flights to our country from the United States of America, where Air France operates 18 direct flights to/from France.
At the same time, the Minister underlined that Athens and Attica, with the options they offer and the possibility of combined visits to the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf and the Athenian Riviera, constitute a leading European destination all year round. She also informed her interlocutors about the investments of Greek airports, focusing on Kalamata and the development possibilities in the Peloponnese, with the creation of tourist packages in many Greek destinations.
Finally, Ms. Kefalogianni granted an interview to the important French media outlet for tourism professionals TourMag, as well as to ERT, which covers the international tourism exhibition. The French tourism market is the fourth most important for our country in terms of travel receipts and shows increasing trends for 2025, according to data from the Bank of Greece.
