The warm hospitality and authenticity of Crete impressed the six Turkish journalists and influencers, who visited the island from June 21 to June 26, 2025, as part of a Press Trip organized by the Turkish EOT Office in collaboration with the Region of Crete.
The trip was organized with the aim of strengthening Turkey’s tourist traffic to Crete, after the direct airline between Constantinople and Heraklion via Aegean Airlines.
Invited journalists and bloggers, including a journalist on sustainability, journey and fashion, two chefs and two photographers, were guided to the wider area of Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, from the archaeological site of Knossos to Spinalonga and from Spinalonga.
The guests enjoyed nature, monuments, culture, gastronomy, participating in a variety of experiences (traditional cooking, winemaking, golf, boat ride, perfume preparation, etc.).
Particularly impressed the warm hospitality of the residents and the authenticity of the destination, elements that Turkish influencers emphasized as decisive factors for promoting the island in the Turkish market and put forward more than two million followers from their posts.
The initiative is part of the EOT strategy. To strengthen the presence of Crete in the Turkish market with the aim of:
– The promotion of local identity, authentic hospitality, gastronomy and natural beauty of the island, but also
– Supporting the direct connection between Constantinople and Heraklion in Crete with Aegean Airlines.
According to the available statistics, 1.2 million Turkish tourists visited Greece in 2024, while in 2025 arrivals with the new direct air connection is expected to contribute to the strengthening of tourist flows in Crete.
Photos from Rethymnon News
Source: Skai
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