Tourist officials from Central Macedonia in northern Greece are appealing for support from UK tour operators to help kickstart the region’s turnaround.
During a visit to London last week, Dr. Nikolas Hourvouliades, tourism special advisor to the Governor of Central Macedonia, met with specialist operators and multiples to discuss how to boost tourism to the region, which includes Halkidiki and Thessaloniki.
He said the image of Greece as a whole has been damaged by the financial crisis and highly publicised violent clashes, but he said the country was now working hard to get back on its feet.
"We have come to realise that tourism is the number one priority for Greece," said Dr Hourvouliades. "In Macedonia, we are putting all our efforts together with a new focus."
He said while most UK operators and holidaymakers know Halkidiki for its beach holidays, the region was looking to promote other types of holiday.
"We want to speak to specialist operators who are looking to put together archaeological, agro and cultural holidays, or walking or hiking. We even have five ski resorts," he said.
He said pricing was particularly keen in Macedonia.
"We don’t have the same brand name as Rhodes, Crete or Santorini, so prices are more competitive.
"The private sector is realising they must keep prices down, but at the same time operators must realise we are coping with high VAT which has grown from 18% to 23% in the last three years."
Dr Hourvouliades admitted that marketing budgets were limited but said, as a result, the region was being more focussed in its marketing efforts.
"This meeting in the UK is just the beginning of a series of meetings with professionals all over the major markets in Europe," he said.
by Bev Fearis
