ATHENS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM & CULTURE EXPO 2023

GREAT SUCCESS OF THE 10TH ATHENS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM & CULTURE EXPO 2023

The Athens International Tourism & Culture Expo closed ten years in 2023 and for one more year the aims of the Exhibition were realized, namely the support and international promotion of our tourism with the participation of leading International Hosted Buyers and the many new collaborations of the Exhibitors with the Hosted Buyers and exhibition visitors. The Exhibitors and Hosted Buyers experienced a very strong three days through the B2B meetings as well as the professional visitors with the Exhibitors. The B2B meetings were completed with complete success and many commercial agreements were initiated between Exhibitors and Hosted Buyers already on the first day of the B2B and many more are expected afterwards.

Selected Hosted Buyers from 35 markets conducted more than 4,720 B2B with Exhibitors from all tourism industries as well as with tourist destinations. The international collaborations of the Exhibition to attract potential Hosted Buyers paid off extremely well since most Hosted Buyers participated in B2B having clear and specific requests which were fully satisfied by the Exhibitors due to their geographical dispersion but the variety of their professional activities. The B2B meetings were a complete success and many commercial deals were initiated between Exhibitors and Hosted Buyers from the very first day and many more are expected to follow.
The tangible very good results of the Exhibition result from the following:
• All participating Exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and Visitors declared themselves very satisfied with the organization and the new professional collaborations they had at the exhibition
• 120 leading international Hosted Buyers from 35 markets were hosted and covered all exhibitor needs
• 4,720 B2B meetings were held by the exhibitors with the Hosted Buyers with many and dynamic new international collaborations contributing to the increase of incoming tourism in our country.
• The visitors, mainly professionals, met their needs with numerous agreements with the exhibitors
• The majority of the buyers stated that "The Greek hospitality and the organization of the Exhibition is wonderful and unique and it gave us the opportunity to meet new partners and destinations and to make profitable collaborations with Hotels, Tourist Offices and DMC's companies".

Τhe Opening of the Exhibition was carried out by the General Secretary of Tourism Policy & Development, Mr. Myron Fluris, flanked by representatives of the Local Government and the Tourism Organizations of the country. During the Inauguration, the General Secretary awarded IEK DELTA and its students for the staffing of the Exhibition departments and for the creation and presentation of the Hosted Buyers meals.

Alongside the Exhibition, a very successful Conference was organized with the theme: "The next day for tourism businesses and destinations" It was organized by the Department of Tourism Studies, University of Piraeus - Laboratory of Tourism Excellence and the Exhibition. Speakers were the Rector of the University and University staff, Exhibitors and Tourism Businesses.

It is worth noting that the Northern Aegean Region gave the example of a highly upgraded participation in the exhibition and organized the Gastronomy Event LOCAL PRODUCTS PRESENTATION AND TASTING at its stand with great success. The famous Greek chef Argyro Barbarigou presented a live cooking and offered Hosted Buyers and guests the most popular food products of the North Aegean islands.

..