Thessaloniki Among Top Choices for Turkish Travelers

Thessaloniki has become a popular tourism destination for Turkish travelers, as the number of overnight stays from Turkey last year increased by 8 percent and reached 88,531 compared to 2016, according to the Thessaloniki Hotels Association.

The association released the figures following its participation in the 23rd East Mediterranean International Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT) 2018, which took place between January 25-28 in Istanbul.

According to the association’s president Andreas Mandrinos and marketing manager Chrissa Saravelou, the house of Kemal Atatourk is among the most popular landmark sites of Thessaloniki for Turkish tourists.

Thessaloniki Hotels Association’s president, Andreas Mandrinos and marketing manager, Chrissa Saravelou.

During the EMITT 2018 expo, Saravelou participated in a number of B2B meetings and held discussions with tour operators from the United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Referring to the Arab market she underlined that the upcoming direct air connection between Thessaloniki and Dubai as of June this year, is expected to increase the interest of Arab tourists for the northern Greek city.

The association’s representatives also met with officials of Balkan and European countries.

The Thessaloniki Hotels Association participated in the EMITT 2018 as a co-exhibitor of the Central Macedonia Region.

This year’s EMITT 2018 included more than 1,000 exhibitors, 600 hosted buyers from 106 countries and 54,364 visitors, while 7,000 meetings were conducted within four days.

Minister: Thessaloniki metro extensions to cost between €1.2 to 1.3 billion

Infrastructure improvement is very important for Greek tourism

Two westwards extensions on the under-construction metro line in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, along with an above-ground portion to an airport to the east of the metropolis, will cost between 1.2 to 1.3 billion euros, a relevant transports and infrastructure minister said on Friday.

Minister Christos Spirtzis made the statement during a "photo-op" at a metro worksite, timed with the arrival of a huge boring machine at an underground station.

A tender for the extension towards western Thessaloniki will come this year, he announced, with the first leg being 4.4 kilometers in length, and the second five kilometers.

The whole Thessaloniki metro project has been decades in the making, with non-stop construction coming only over the past five years or so.

According to media reports, Thessaloniki is one of the few cities in the eurozone with a population of above one million residents that does not have a underground metro line.

Read more here.

Visit Greece: Live your honeymoon holidays in Eastern Halkidiki.

Start from the mountainous area, visiting Arnea, a famous traditional settlement- the most beautiful in Halkidiki! Wander in its alleys, visit the folklore museums, walk in the mountain paths, dream under the waterfalls, cycle in wonderful routes, shop organic honey to “sweeten and honey” your first days of your common life, taste the famous toulouba, taste organic wine of local production, see how the organic feta cheese and yogurt is made and try the most delicious dishes you have ever tasted!

Visit to ancient Stageira

…where thousands years ago, Aristoteles, the teacher of Great Alexander, was born. Walk on the hill between the Aegean blue and the verdant green Aristotelian Mountain. Wander between the findings of the ancient city and view the most beautiful beaches of the area – the color of the crystal waters, depending on the light of the day. Feel the ancient Greek influence and swim under the ancient city, to one of the most beautiful and pristine gulfs. Taste amazing seafood and ouzo appetizers. For dessert eat sweet loukoumades at the central square of the village.

The round cruise of Mount Athos

See a unique spectacle in the world: the monasteries of the west side of the Holy Community, which compose a byzantine scenery of real splendor. Visit the land borders of Mount Athos and the Zigou Monastery, the unique athonite monastery visitable also by women.

Ammouliani

If you haven’t chosen to stay to Ammouliani, the unique island of Central Macedonia, then you have to visit it definitely: length of just 6km, surrounded by sandy beaches, all famous for the sea water’s clarity!

The clarity of the waters is not certified only by the photos or the Blue Flags. This is being proved by the visitors’ arrival. Every summer 600 permanent inhabitants welcome 6.000 visitors so as to offer them home, island hospitality and taking care of them like being their relatives!

Swim definitely to “Alikes”, the most photographed and beloved beach, enjoy the serenity of “Karagatsia”, offer yourselve the affordable luxury of the daily swim to “Ai Giorgi” and “Megali Ammos”, do the round of the island by renting a boat (no license is required), and indulge in the fishing to the north rocky shores!

To Ammouliani you will find the freshest seafood you have ever tasted! The island possesses a big fishing fleet, which means you find fresh caught seafood- here the fish of yesterday is not fresh!!! Enjoy wonderful fish appetizers on the idyllic small port viewing Athos and ask persistently for the fish balls- the chef’s specialty!

Swim αt Komitsa

…and gain the absolute life summer experience. In the Gulf, the golden beach just a few meters away from the borders of Athonite State, will make you forgetting time, wishing you could stay there forever.

…and to the endless beaches of Ierissos and Pirgadikia

…there that the blue of the sea and the sky become one! Lunch or dine, trying delicious taste creations, made by local sea food, organic meat/ vegetables- by the local farm’s production and fruits from the Aristotelian Mountain.

Walk along the coasts and the historical routes.

You will be surprised by the natural beauty of the landscape which will enhance the romance of your wedding!

Source: visitgreece.gr