Thessaloniki Tourism Organization will focus on destination management and become DMO

The “Umbrellas”, a popular public art installation on the waterfront in Thessaloniki. Photo source: Visit Greece

Mayor of Thessaloniki and chairman of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (TTO) Stelios Angeloudis announced this week plans to convert the organization into a DMO (destination management organization) in the coming period.

Established in 2005, the TTO will now operate as DMO for the city and the wider region. Priorities for the TTO, Angeloudis said, include expanding the scope of its activities, to other regions beyond Thessaloniki, and involving other tourism stakeholders such as hoteliers and rooms, who will also contribute financially.

“We have decided to move to a different model that focuses on strategy,” says Angeloudis, adding that the aim is for the TTO to cover all the sector’s needs from start to finish. “A tight strategic plan is of utmost importance for tourism development,” he said.

Angeloudis added that it was also critical to find ways to restore the organization’s financial viability.

Andreas Mandrinos, president of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association (THA), welcomed the decision, adding that the DMO status will help the association secure public funding and attract private investment. “The THA welcomes and actively participates in this change,” he said.

Andreas Mandrinos, President of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association.

Angeloudis added that the organization has also contacted the Hellenic Tourism Confederation (SETE) for guidance and support in formulating a strategy and action plan, which would be ready in the fall.

Tourism stakeholders in the city were disappointed earlier this week after a survey showed Thessaloniki was still lagging behind in visitor satisfaction, achieving a score of 7.8 in 2023 due to low cleanliness and noise scores.

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