«Black Sea Tourism Forum & Workshop– Athens Travel Trade Workshop Report

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau 5/2/2013

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Athens Travel Trade Workshop Report The following report summarizes the activities and outcomes of the first Annual Travel Trade Workshop which was held in Athens, at the Acropolis Museum, the 22-23rd of April, 2013. Travel Trade Athens is the signature trade event for the City of Athens offering Athens tourism industry and suppliers a unique chance to showcase their services & products and meet individually qualified international buyers personally in pre-arranged meetings. It was organized by the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) in cooperation with the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and was the first event of this scale at which we were able to actively engage with and reach out to a wider range of the respective stakeholders across Europe. One hundred eighty [180] delegates attended the event and a total of 1,400 individual meetings were held with the aim to increase tourism trade deals, international networking and create the appropriate channels of cooperation. Specifically, Athens Travel Trade Workshop brought together a dynamic mix of contractors and product developers with city tourism professionals and individual suppliers. This arrangement mirrors contracting needs and reflects how clients view the prospective destination of Athens.

Workshop Structure B2B Meetings Organization of pre-scheduled appointments between hosted suppliers and buyers. The Workshop day followed a B2B meetings format. The day was fully dedicated to a series of pre organized B2B meetings amongst the tourism buyers and suppliers attending from Europe. Registered companies benefited from a series of pre scheduled one-to-one meetings arranged on the basis of a prior screening of the company profiles submitted by participants.

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Training sessions Industry intelligence & international trends seminar for the participating suppliers at the workshop by leading representatives of international organizations. The Travel Trade Workshop served as a forum in order to provide special informational sessions for all suppliers participating at the Travel Trade Athens workshop featuring special Trends, Tips and Niche Market Overviews delivered by top international associations. The perspective provided by the key note speakers enabled all participants to evaluate the structures, opportunities and challenges in the travel market. Specifically the following topics were thoroughly examined and presented:

Emerging Markets: How do BRIC+ travelers think, feel and behave Global and Emerging Travel Market Trends & Characteristics BRIC Market Research Snapshots Growing Niche Markets Youth Travel Market Trends & Insights LGBT Market Trends & Promotion Tools MICE 2013: Bids & Trends Low priced destinations, competitive advantage? New Trends & Insights in the MICE Industry ACB Acts & Action Plan

Pre Post Activities All buyers participated in selected site visits and had further networking opportunities through prearranged social activities aimed to deepen knowledge of the regional and local tourism product.

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Outcome The key conclusions from the workshop, highlighted by all participants were The presentation and promotion of the tourism product of Athens The development of professional ties between the local tourism industry and tourism

professionals from the Greek capital’s international target markets. The emergence and establishment of Athens as the primary and exclusive travel

destination in the international tourism market with actions highlighting the comparative advantages of the city and the high level of service it can offer to its visitors.

Organizers Profile ADDMA (Athens Development and Destination Management Agency) The Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) supports the Municipality’s operational capacity with its expertise and dedicated human resources, giving impetus to the development potential of the city of Athens as a modern, European metropolis. Athens is a metropolitan center that is endowed with unique urban and physical characteristics, rendering it a popular year-round tourist destination at both a European as well as at an international level. It is a city committed to sustainable and inclusive development. The current volatility of the economic environment has been the driving force in bringing to the forefront the city’s productive forces; an initiative is currently underway in order to reverse the country capital’s negative publicity by highlighting the its positive attributes. In this context, ADDMA plays an important role by designing and implementing an integrated action plan aiming to ensure social cohesion and improve the quality of life of city residents. As part of the European strategy Europe 2020, the city of Athens is aiming at smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth, by making good use of its comparative advantages and dealing with the challenges that have been recently exacerbated due to critical socio-economic conditions. Integrated strategic planning and its successful implementation along with effective utilization of all European financial instruments and policy tools constitutes the most crucial challenge that the city is faced with for the current decade. ADDMA has

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

responded successfully to this challenge and is rapidly progressing in achieving its objectives. ETOA (European Tour Operators Association) ETOA is the member supported trade association for tour operators with business in European destinations and their suppliers. Offering an outstanding platform to meet and engage with over 600 member companies, including 200 international operators bringing visitors from worldwide markets, ETOA members deliver over 5.5bn Euros in business. The benefits include: -five highly organised B2B workshops -member networking and specialist events -profile raising online and directory lead sales and marketing opportunities -exclusive sponsorship of events and newsletters reaching a target trade contacts -high profile trade show stand opportunities -tax, legal and technology expertise. ETOA offers advocacy support, leading high profile campaigns, to support the growth of tourism exports and member business. www.etoa.org

Supporting Associations Profile IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association) The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association is the world's leading global travel network dedicated to connecting and educating LGBT travelers and the businesses that welcome and support them along the way. Whether it's for individual, group, corporate, or student travel, we have affiliates in the world's most sought after locations offering the most competitive packages for your perfect getaway. IGLTA was founded in 1983 by gay and lesbian travel agents and now operates in 80+ countries on all six inhabited continents. We provide all members who join the IGLTA community the opportunity to customize their travel experience and share it with others through planning tools, trip ideas, events and travel deals from LGBT tourism-related businesses. ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ICCA represents the main specialists in organizing, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events, and comprises over 950 member companies and organizations in 88 countries worldwide. ICCA specializes in the international association

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

meetings sector, offering unrivalled data, communication channels, and business development opportunities. WYSE (World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation) WYSE Travel Confederation was formed in 2006 when FIYTO and ISTC merged to create a stronger united body to represent the global youth travel industry. The Confederation is therefore built on decades of industry experience and is bound together by a trusted global community.

Market & Delegates Profile

180 delegates 1,400 individual meetings 120 suppliers 60 buyers Geographical areas represented: Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain,

Portugal, Lithuania, Israel, Japan and India, while many of them represent tour operators

from America, China and other major markets.

Suppliers: The City of Athens Travel Trade Workshop offered to Athens located suppliers a chance to meet individually qualified buyers showcasing their product and assisting buyers with their specific requests. Categories: Cruise/Ferry Operators, Folklore Shows/Restaurants, Ground Handlers/Local Tour Operators, Hotels Shops/Cultural Demonstrations, Technology Systems and Services Providers, Tourist Attractions/Museums, Yachting, Outdoor Activities, Catering Services, Conference Centres, DMCs, PCOs, Trade Associations. Buyers: The City of Athens Travel Trade Workshop was attended by a unique blend of contractors, product developers. They represent a variety of leisure sectors, MICE and corporate businesses.

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Categories: Groups & FIT Operators. Wholesalers, Online Intermediaries, City Break, Cultural Holiday and Coach Operators, Group Travel Organisers Luxury Travel, Special Interest and Educational Operators, MICE Specialists Participating Suppliers: Ace Incentives Acropolis Museum Aegean Aemex Sa Afea Travel And Congress

Services Airotel Group Of Hotels Amphitrion Holidays Sa Anagnostou Winery Andy's Tours S.A. Artion Conference And Events Association Of Greek National

Tourist Guides Astir Palace Resort Athenaeum Intercontinental

Athens Athens Gate Hotel Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel Athens Metropolitan Expo S.A. Athens Open Tour Athens Traders Association Athens Walking Tours Attika Zoological Park Best Western Greece Candia Hotel (Nikolaos Mallias Sa) Cbr Travel & Car Rental

Chandris Hotels & Resorts Citysightseeing Athens And

Piraeus (Somaco Tours Sa) Club Hotel Casino Loutraki Congress Line Coral Hotel Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre Holiday Inn Athens Attica Avenue

Airport West, Holiday Suites Danae.Travel (Gtp) Dignity Travel Ltd Divani Collection Hotels Electra Palace Hotel Athens Eos Travel Erasmus Sa Eurostar Sa Event Makers-Dmc Firstevent Frangos Travel Services Frei S.A General Pan-Hellenic Federation

Of Tourism Enterprises Golden Age Hotel Gold Air Tourism Grand Bretagne Grand Resort Lagonissi

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Grazytravel.Com Haritou Travel Group ( Htg) HATTA (Hellenic Association Of

Travel And Tourist Agencies) Hellenic Motor Museum -

Charagionis Group Herakleidon Museum Hetco Tours Hilton Athens Hondos Center Department Stores Hydraiki N.C - Athens One Day

Cruise Kentavros Travel Network Key Tours Kipling Events Kyvernitis Travel L'oceane Voyages

Louis Group Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet

Athens Mideast International Τours Novotel Athenes Olympic Air P.C Podimatas Audiovisual Pacific World Pam Tours Panathenaic Stadium (Hellenic

Olympic Committee) Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens Royal Olympic Hotel Saint George Lycabettus Hotel Simple Travel Sirios Travel Olympos Touristiki

Ependitiki Spetses Hotel Public cafe Syntagma and

Pasalimani - Square Root S.A. Studytours-Odyssey Sunshine Express Train Technopolis City Of Athens The Athens International & The

Student and Travellers Inn The Vorres Museum Thissio View Thomais Travel Agency Tourgreece Travel Elegance - L.Moula & Co Tumlare - Jtb Greece Varoulko Restaurant Vs Hospitality Group

Yes! Hotels Group Zen Travel Ltd Ευ Ζην Vitality

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Participating Buyers: Abreu Online Agence eWenements ANA Sales Europe CEETIZ Denatravel viajes ETOA Eventiv Expat Explore Expedia.com/Hotels.com Expedia Lodging Partner Services Explorica Inc. G2 Travel Ltd GetYourGuide Globus Family of Brands: Cosmos Greatdays Travel Group Groundline/Hello Paris Hostelbookers.com HotBookings.net Ltd HotBookings.net Ltd HotelFusion Limited HotelFusion Limited Hotelkamerveiling.nl incotours.ltd International Gay & Lesbian Travel

Association (IGLTA) JacTravel JTB World Vacations,Inc Jumbo Tourism CO PVT LTD Kauno piligrimas Kuoni Global Travel Services

Kuoni Group Travel Experts More Than Friendly myGayTrip.com Navarino Services Ltd Place2B Ltd Secret Escapes Ltd Service-Reisen Giessen Shearings Holidays Special Tours The Group Company ThinkHotels Tourico Holidays Inc. Trafalgar Tours Travel Boutique TVL.TVL. Ltd VELTRA Corporation Viator Ltd. WorldStrides International Discovery

Programs Worldwide DMC Ltd Wotif Group WYSE Travel Confederati

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Product Category Identification for all participants (buyers – suppliers)

Type of product represented by buyers’ category

Type of product represented by suppliers’ category

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Media Coverage Report The media interest that surrounded the City of Athens Travel Trade Workshop was remarkable and can be considered as a clear indicator of the levels of success. A press release issued in English & Greek, along with statements from workshop participants, was widely published and appeared in several newspapers and magazines and made headline news on radio and television. International Media Invited & Attended

Organization Country

Cat publications UK

Conference meetings World Magazine UK

MIM Europe BELGIUM

Travel Trade Weekly, Travel Trade Cyprus CYPRUS

Viator SPAIN Davidsbeenhere.com GERMANY

Greek Media Invited & Attended

Newspapers

Athens News Kathimerini

City Press Naftemporiki

Metro

Hmerisia

Αdesmeutos Typos

Kerdos

Apopsi

Lifo

Ethnos Athens Voice

Free Sunday

International Herald Tribute

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Magazines

Athens Today Travel Magazine

Travel Earth

Chrima & Tourismos Tourism & Property

Big Fish

Travel Times

Business Today

Travelogue

Hotel and Restaurant

Athinorama

Meeting Greece

Bhmagazino

The Tourism Report

Touristiki Agora

TV

Antenna Alpha

Mega NET

SKAI

Sample of web articles http://www.antenna.gr http://www.skai.gr http://news.kathimerini.gr http://news.kathimerini.gr http://www.athensvoice.gr http://www.capital.gr http://www.athinorama.gr http://www.express.gr

http://www.ert.gr http://news.gtp.gr http://www.tovima.gr http://www.imerisia.gr http://www.athinorama.gr http://www.tanea.gr http://e-travelnews.blogspot.gr http://www.localit.gr http://www.news.gr

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Sponsors – Supporters The Organizing Committee wishes to acknowledge the considerable ongoing support of our Sponsors & Exhibitors who assisted in making this event so successful.

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Quotes from Workshop Participants, Speakers, Sponsors “The level of organization was very good! If you want to bring more visitors to Athens, then events such as the Travel Trade Athens are what you should do. The ETOAC was founded by those companies that specialize in attracting customers from all over the world in Europe. These people promoted cities with their customers to know that the culture of European cities is unique. Among European cities, Athens is unique. Is a sought after destination for three millennia and satisfaction we received the opportunity to project this destination”.

Tom Jenkins, CEO of ETOA “Greece is a very important market for the community LGBT - our country ranks in 11th place among the most popular destinations. According to estimates available, Greece will be able to attract 1.5 million arrivals and a turnover of about 1.7 billion dollars. Athens has excellent prospects for further growth in the market LGBT if it makes the appropriate moves.”

Clark Massad, Vice President Europe International operator IGLTA

"Aegean strongly supports Athens Development and Destination Management Agency and

any action designed to promote the benefits of Athens as a tourist destination. Aegean, as

the Athens International Airport is its main base, actively involved in all action aims to

recover Athens the position and the momentum it deserves. The Travel Trade Athens is a

joint initiative to promote Athens as hospitable and competitive destination that fulfills all

requirements and demands of the international market initiatives supported with great

satisfaction. "

Dimitris Gerogiannis, Managing Director, Aegean Airlines

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Address: Xenofontos 7, 105 57, Athens, Greece, T: +30 210 32 53 123, +30 210 52 01 611, F: +30 210 32 16 653, +30 210 52 22 743, E: info@developathens.gr

Black Sea Tourism Forum & Workshop

The City of Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is planning to organize a dedicated travel trade workshop aiming to enhance tourism business partnership with the Black Sea Region, in partnership with the UNDP Black Sea Trade & Investment Promotion Program. Unique Differences compared to Travel Trade Athens Workshop Purpose: The presentation and promotion of the tourism product of the countries of

Black Sea Region(Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine)

Targeted Market –Destination : The countries of the Black Sea Region Buyers Profile: top selected buyers of the European, Asian, US & Black Sea travel

market. Suppliers Profile: Suppliers (Cruise/Ferry Operators, Ground Handlers/Local Tour

Operators, Hotels, Technology Systems and Services Providers, Tourist Attractions/Museums, Yachting, Outdoor Activities, Catering Services, Conference Centers, DMCs, PCOs, Trade Associations) from all regions of Greece & the Black Sea.