Great interest of German tourist agents in Thessaly, which is in the restart phase after the natural disasters. In Volos, the 1st Greek-German Tourism Forum.

Discovering the diversity and unique beauty of Pelion, Volos and the wider region of Magnesia, German tour operators got to know the potential of the region’s tourism businesses at the 1st Greek-German Tourism Forum, organized by the Hellenic-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Thessaly is at a restart point in tourism

“We had a difficult summer in tourism. The region’s reputation was damaged after the ravages of storm Daniel. The port of Volos was also hit hard, where due to the alluvium we lost half of the larger cruise ships that came every summer. A major port dredging project is required, which has been launched”ehe said speaking to Deutsche Welle o Yannis Anastasiou, Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance and Citizen Services, former Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism of the Region of Thessaly. The aim of the Region of Thessaly is to make mainland Thessaly known in the German market as well, with Volos and Pelion as the first target, first winning the bet of the region’s resilience. “We are a destination for twelve months of tourism, with many opportunities for alternative tourism, both in Magnesia and throughout Thessaly. After all, every common mortal must come, to understand why the gods of Olympus vacationed in this blessed place”, he characteristically says. Have there been overtourism phenomena in the area? “Not particularly. The good thing about Skiathos, which is the tourist flagship of the region, is that serious infrastructure has been built, the transportation network on the island has changed, with the result that, while there are a large number of tourists, there is no overtourism pressure”answers Mr. Anastasiou.

For another tourist model

“Thessaly can be a model tourist destination, offering a rich tourist product with a diversity. The expansion of the flying project at the airport of Aghialos can bring massiveness and benefit to the wider region of Central Greece”emphasizes Grigoris Tassios, President of the Tourism-Culture Committee of the Hellenic-German and Industrial Chamber of Greece. The situation in the tourism business world is definitely numb because of Daniel’s blow. For him, a big bet is the pricing policy, in order to make the destination attractive. Moreover, the problem of non-payment of debts by German tour operators, which appeared during the pandemic, is now a thing of the past. “The operating costs in tourism are unbearable in Greece. A balance of “horror” in being able to be competitive and price your supply, which also creates excessive pricing behaviors, which fortunately the market self-regulates”Mr. Tasios emphasizes speaking to Deutsche Welle. For him, there is also a need for a change in Greek culture, which has very specific holiday dates per year, which does not help to reduce prices. “Other nationalities take vacations at other times in Greece, in May and September. There should be a model change in school holidays, public and private sector leave. Or, for example, that retired beneficiaries of social tourism should not go in the high season. In this way, it will be possible to deal with the phenomena of overpopulation or overtourism and to extend the tourist season”, he points out.

More flights from Germany

The German market is for Thessaly one of the main markets, with a significant number of visitors who are permanent residents, especially in South Pelion and the Sporades, and flights from Aghialos airport keep this market alive, as well as Central Greece. The distances are very short and in fact a wider geographical unit of 800,000 inhabitants of large cities is served. “We are getting the message from the region that we need more air flights. With departure airport Dusseldorf, this season went very well. We are analyzing the data and we are considering whether to add another flight to the program, and with another airport to Aghialo”says Constantin Meier, responsible for the sale, speaking to Deutsche Welle of air packages to tour operators of the Eurowings company.

“Thessaly is, in my personal opinion, the image of authentic Greece. We know the islands, but here is another form of tourism, which combines the mountain with the sea with alternative tourism and elements of sustainability”. he says characteristically. Could the airport of Anchialos serve for more months flights from Germany? “It is a summer destination for us with an upward trend, not for many months yet. Of course, the last flight from Volos was also full. But we are flexible, if there is demand, to react quickly and make changes if necessary”, states.

Classic and alternative tourism

The German tour operators got to know the beauties of the region by going for a ride on the Pelion train to Milies and then to Vyzitsa for traditional food and then a cruise on Pagasitikos on a traditional schooner, with stops in the much-photographed Tzasteni and Damouchari, where the movie Mamma was filmed Mia, filling with images and flavors and bathing even with clouds. Enjoying the tsipouro culture of the city of Volos, a whole ritual, where you simply order the number of tsipouros you will drink and the dishes are a surprise every time.

“The first summer went well, we are satisfied with the case of Greece. After the bankruptcy of Attika Reisen, a void has been created in Greece, which we want to fill, and the region of Thessaly offers good potential”says the company’s Oliver Chan OLIMAR. His agency offers the classic holidays of “sun and sea”, but now also with themed excursions and combined programs. Portugal is the number one destination in the German market and the case of Greece is very similar. “The beauties of the place, the gastronomy, I see a good prospect. Of course, planning for 3-5 years is needed in order to formulate a final offer program. Compared to Italy and Spain, of course, the level of the hotels is a little lower,” he says.

Sailing holidays are gaining more and more friends. “We offer a 7-day sailing excursion, with a German captain, in the regions of Attica and Corfu. We want to do the same from Volos to the Sporades. We spoke to yacht owners and had very constructive discussions”reports Yanina Sene from the company Sail with Uscontinuing: “Sailing holidays have become fashionable in Germany too, it’s a kind of sport and team participation. It’s not your typical beach vacation. You can do and experience a lot in a week like this.” emphasizes.

Sonya Supsky from the agency VinoVia came to the area for the second time. With her company she offers trips and tours for walking routes, climbing, tasting, wine tasting. “Hiking here can be combined with swimming in the sea, and the Germans really like that”he points out. This summer in Greece, several tourists lost their lives hiking on islands. “Hiking is becoming more and more popular, but many people are not well prepared. You need to know what clothes and shoes to wear, how to protect yourself from the heat or cold, your supplies. If you cannot secure them, you must have a guide”. In b2b meetings he met great interest and saw many opportunities for collaborations with small, as well as luxury hotels. “The hiking trails are better marked, there is a lot of natural beauty and the airport is close. The food is very tasty, I really liked the organic wine and the weather was pleasant. Oh, and not to forget, the tsipouro is amazing!”he characteristically said.