2024-04-02 17:16:29
Positive prospects for the tourism of Epirus arise from the Region’s participation in two more major international exhibitions, held in March in Germany and Austria.
The Region of Epirus participated for one more year in ITB Berlin 2024, held from March 5 to 7 in Berlin, Germany. It is one of the largest and most important international tourism exhibitions, hosting more than 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries and welcoming over 100,000 visitors.
As stated in a press release, the continuous participation of the Region of Epirus in ITB Berlin, combined with the right preparation, the study of the profile of the German tourist and the right approach, has led to an increase in the interest of Germans in Epirus, a fact that is reflected in the continuous increase of direct flights from Germany to Aktio, which for the summer season are expected to be eleven weekly. The main interest of visitors to the exhibition was focused on the choice of seaside destinations, with a smaller percentage preferring city trips, wellness, alternative tourism and culture.
The Ioannina Hoteliers’ Association hosted the Ioannina Hotel Association through the Second Vice President Efi Exarchou and twelve Epirus tourism businesses at the Epirus Region stand.
The Region of Epirus was represented by the director of the Directorate of Lifelong Learning, Employment, Trade and Tourism, Iulia Markoula, who was also responsible for the preparation and participation in the exhibition.
During the three days of the exhibition at the Epirus Region stand, more than 50 B2B meetings were held with companies, important tour operators of the German tourism market, as well as smaller ones specializing in alternative tourism and culture packages, with the aim of strengthening and expanding existing partnerships as well as creating new ones , with travel agencies, airlines, journalists and audience builders.
During the exhibition, there were a series of important contacts, among others with the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogiannis, the general secretary of EOT Dimitris Fragakis, the EOT Germany office and its director Nicoleta Lekanidis and the mainland mayor of Sverte Dimitris Axourgos.
Also, in view of the participation of the Region of Epirus in the international tourism exhibition of Cyprus between 19 and 21 April 2024, the last one for the first half of 2024, the head of the Region’s mission met with the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus Kostas Koumis, with which discussed organizational issues.
Rising demand from Austrians
With the participation of 450 exhibitors from 36 countries and a total of 72,710 visitors, the Vienna International Tourism Fair – Ferien 2024, which took place from March 14 to 17 in the Austrian capital, came to an end.
The Region of Epirus participated as a co-exhibitor of the EOT, being a separate attraction for visitors throughout the duration of the Exhibition. Tourism professionals were hosted at the Region’s stand, who had the opportunity to talk to a large number of visitors, who are organizing their vacations and looking for new alternative destinations, emphasizing authentic experiences.
The head of the mission of the Region of Epirus was the mandated advisor P.E. Artas Nikos Spyrou, who, in his statement, stated that it was a comprehensive and targeted participation of the Region of Epirus, in order for our region to obtain the touristic recognition it deserves in Central Europe.
According to the organizers of the Fair and also to a survey carried out by TUI, the “Sun-Sea” model is the main motivation, especially for families followed by city visits. Environmental protection and sustainable tourism development were dominant themes during the Exhibition, as public awareness will influence the strategy of many travel organizers and subsequently many businesses in the sector aiming at the rational management of natural resources.
Epirus, as a destination that ideally combines the mountain and the sea, was at the center of the Austrians’ interest throughout the exhibition, with the messages recorded for the summer season being particularly positive.
The cooperation with the EOT Office of Austria and the head Stavroula Skaltsis for the implementation of actions aimed at the best possible promotion of Epirus in the Austrian market was excellent for another year.
The coastline of Epirus had an increased demand, as the direct air connection of Vienna with the airport of Aktion, is an important advantage that puts Epirus on the list of destinations for Austrians. According to the data of the Austrian EOT Office released to the public, the airports of Akti and Ioannina received a total of 12,952 Austrian passengers in 2023. Particularly important is the progress of bookings on the country’s largest air carrier, Austrian Airlines, which starts as early as March 26 direct connections with Greek destinations, including Aktion airport. It should be noted that in the autumn of 2023, with the cooperation of the Austrian EOT, Austrian Airlines and the Department of Lifelong Learning, Employment and Tourism of the Region of Epirus, a familiarization trip of Austrian Airlines executives to the coastal front of the Region of Epirus was implemented
In terms of destinations, of great importance for the Austrian EOT is the upward trend in demand shown by Epirus, which is consolidating itself in the Austrian market.
The Epirus Region stand was visited, among others, by the Greek ambassador in Vienna, Georgios Iliopoulos, and the commercial and economic affairs advisor of the Greek embassy, Ioulis Boyatzopoulou, and the head of commercial marketing and public relations of the EOT of Austria, Yannis Rafalias.