Summer in Greece is synonymous with sunshine, the sea, and a vibrant cultural scene. This season, island escapes and visits to historic destinations offer more than breathtaking landscapes: they also provide the opportunity to discover some of the year's most exciting art exhibitions. From landmark retrospectives of acclaimed artists to innovative group shows in remarkable heritage sites, Greek News Agenda offers a selection of exhibitions not to miss during your summer travels through the Greek islands. Take a deep breath—and dream!

NAXOS

The AFI collective brings together seven accomplished artists who, working with a wide range of materials—including paint, brushes, wood, iron, clay, handmade paper, thread, and fabric—and embracing the principles of slow making, translate ideas and traditional craft techniques into a contemporary visual language. Their new exhibition «syn AFI” at the historic Bazeos Tower on Naxos (until September 27, 2026) moves beyond a straightforward presentation of artworks, opening instead a meaningful dialogue with the monument’s handcrafted, sculptural architecture. In doing so, it proposes an alternative yet harmonious way of inhabiting the space—one that is both multisensory and multidimensional. The Naxos Festival, in the Bazeos Tower (lower photo right), began in the summer of 2001, as a bold and imaginative idea to transform an exceptional preserved monument, of the 17th century, into the current analogue of the function for which it was built: a temple of art, education and culture. (lower photo left: work by Inger Carlsson, lower photo right The Bazeos Tower)

(upper photo: Naxos Chora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/naxos)

AMORGOS

“Mnemosyne” is a curatorial concept unfolding across the island of Amorgos, spanning three distinct locations from north to south through three interconnected exhibitions that invite visitors to journey across the island by way of memory, landscape, and the natural elements (July–August). Each exhibition explores a different facet of the overarching theme and can be experienced independently, while together they form a broader narrative linking water, place, time, and human experience. The journey begins in Aegiali with “Remembrance,” continues in Chora with “Whispers of Water,” an encounter between painting and ceramics that examines water as a force of transformation, and concludes in Kolofana with “Memory,” bringing together artists from a range of disciplines.

(upper photo: Amorgos Chora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/amorgos)

TINOS

The Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation presents the solo exhibition by Argiris Rallias titled “Litany” in the Museum of Marble Crafts in Pyrgos on Tinos (until November 30, 2026). The exhibition, curated by Christoforos Marinos, takes place in a venue dedicated to marble craftsmanship on Tinos and the connection of this precious material to labour, worship, community and everyday life. In Pyrgos, a land with a strong tradition in the art of marble, Rallias's sculpture meets the long history of local craftsmen, merging technical knowledge with creation. The exhibition's title alludes to the litany as the movement of a community around something that transcends it. In Rallias's work, this community includes people, animals, the dead, the relatives, objects and the landscape itself. Each sculpture carries a plea, a loss, a small request for protection ((photo lower left).

The Cultural Foundation of Tinos presents this summer the painting exhibition “From Chaos to Cosmos”, featuring works by Anna Maria Tsakali and Edouardos Sakayan (photo lower right). Conceived as a creative dialogue between two leading figures of the contemporary Greek art scene, the exhibition brings together their distinct painterly languages to engage with the existential, social, and ecological questions of our time. (until August 23, 2026)

(upper photo: Dovecoats, a feature of the Tinos landscape considered some of the most impressive works of art in the Cyclades, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/tinos)

CHIOS

The Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation presents the temporary photography exhibition by Giorgos Tatakis titled “Caryatis IV | Chios” in the Chios Mastic Museum (until December 31, 2026). The exhibition includes thirty-six photographs in black and white, selected from numerous images captured by Tatakis on Chios (lower photo George Tatakis, Chios island, Mastichochorea, Olympoi, 2021). They depict women of various generations in landscapes, settlements and historical buildings on the island. Having documented traditional costumes and their variations from twenty-one villages of Chios, Tatakis points out: "In all my travels, I have never encountered another place with such an extraordinary diversity of traditional costumes. Chios, with its exceptional textile production and unparalleled quality of fabrics, combined with the prosperity ensured by commerce, gave rise to this remarkable variety of attire. Villagers in settlements located very close to each other sought to display their wealth by distinguishing themselves from their neighbours, and so, each village developed its own distinctive attire".

(upper photo Chios, The Mastic Villages, https://www.discovergreece.com/north-aegean-islands/chios)

SYROS

The Municipality of Syros–Ermoupolis presents the group exhibition of contemporary art “Metoikoi – Transition, Integration, Creation”, hosted at the Cyclades Art Gallery from 1 to 30 August 2026. The exhibition brings together works by distinguished Greek visual artists (Daskalakis, Georgiou, Manousakis, Sakayan, Misouras, Giannakaki, Rorris, Filopoulou, Ragkou, Tzamouranis, Lappas, and Samios) and develops a creative artistic dialogue with the history, identity, and cultural heritage of Ermoupolis.  The Cyclades Art Gallery (photo lower right) has been housed since 1994 in four of the former transit warehouses on the northern quay of the port of Syros, in Ermoupolis. The warehouses were built between 1834 and 1839 based on designs by the Bavarian architect Johann Erlacher, who accompanied King Otto, and were among the earliest buildings constructed in Ermoupolis.

2026 is a truly special year as Syros  honor the 200th anniversary of its city’s naming, Ermoupolis. The anniversary cultural program of the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis unfolds before you as a celebration of memory, creativity, and culture (photo lower left). Through a rich program of concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and activities for all ages, Syros transforms into a meeting point for arts and culture.

(upper phot Syros, Ermoupolis, Vaporia district, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/syros )

And after immersing yourself in the world of art, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands

Naxos, Plaka beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-naxos)

Amorgos, Agios Pavlos beach (https://www.amorgos-island.gr/en/section/aegiali-beaches/, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-things-do-amorgos )

Tinos, Kolympithra beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-tinos)

Chios, Mavra Volia beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/explore-10-best-beaches-chios)

Syros, Delfini beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-syros)

The post Arty Summer Holidays on the Greek Islands, Part 2/4 (Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Chios, Syros) appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The inscription of “The Greater Olympus Area” on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Mixed Property was unanimously approved during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy expressed their joy, pride, and great satisfaction. The decision was adopted during the Committee's 48th session, held in Busan, South Korea, from 19 July. (cover photo: Stefani Summit, Mount Olympus, https://www.culture.gov.gr/)  

The inclusion of the mythical mountain on the World Heritage List is one of the highest international distinctions in the field of cultural and natural heritage conservation. It recognizes the Outstanding Universal Value of Olympus, placing it among the world's most iconic heritage sites that merit special protection and stewardship for the benefit of humanity.

Climbing road to Olympus from the west side (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

View of the Enipeas Gorge

Approximately 50,000 visitors climb Mount Olympus each year. For local authorities and stakeholders, its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents both an opportunity and a challenge, as it is expected to strengthen protection against the growing pressures of tourism development and climate change. Under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, properties inscribed on the World Heritage List benefit from an internationally recognized framework for protection and conservation.

The "abode of the immortals," as Homer described it, was designated Greece's first national park in 1938 in recognition of its unique natural landscape. In 1981, UNESCO designated Olympus as a Biosphere Reserve, and in 2021 it was declared a National Park by presidential decree.

"The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has unanimously decided, during its meeting in South Korea, to inscribe Mount Olympus on the prestigious World Heritage List, confirming its status as one of the world's most significant sites of cultural and natural heritage," said President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas in a statement.

"From today, the mythical Mount Olympus becomes a mountain belonging to all humanity—one that must be protected forever. UNESCO's unanimous decision to inscribe it on the World Heritage List is a landmark national achievement," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a social media post.

Calling it a historic decision taken in Busan, South Korea, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Greece's Permanent Representative to UNESCO and head of the Greek delegation, also welcomed the inscription in a post on social media. "The unanimous global recognition of Mount Olympus as a cultural and natural property of Outstanding Universal Value is a historic achievement. The hard work, coordination, and close cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency made this landmark decision possible," said Giorgos Koumoutsakos, among other remarks.

Daphne oleoides (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

At the same time, Olympus is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem, rare species of flora and fauna, and important archaeological and historical monuments that reflect the region's long cultural heritage. It is also one of Greece's premier tourist destinations and one of the country's most recognizable symbols, embodying the enduring legacy of Greek mythology and inspiring people around the world.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: "The inscription of Mount Olympus on the UNESCO World Heritage List confirms Greece's enduring commitment to the protection, promotion, and sustainable management of its cultural and natural heritage, in accordance with the principles of the World Heritage Convention. At the same time, it enhances the international profile of a place that has long been a timeless symbol of Greek civilization, nature, and our shared world heritage, underscoring the international community's collective responsibility to safeguard it for the benefit of present and future generations. This inscription uniquely encapsulates the inseparable bond between our cultural and natural heritage. Through the Homeric epics and the works of ancient Greek literature, Mount Olympus carried Greek mythology and Greek culture to every corner of the world. It remains the eternal home of the Olympian Gods and a landscape of extraordinary richness and dramatic beauty, inspiring awe and reverence while continuing to stimulate thought, the arts, the sciences, and cultural creativity across the globe. In Homer's epics, Olympus is described as polyptychos ('many-peaked'), makros ('towering' or 'lofty'), niphoeis ('snow-clad'), and polydeiras ('deeply ravined'). These Homeric epithets became the starting point of an enduring tradition of inspiration. The image of Olympus, shaped by Homer's poetic genius nearly three millennia ago, remains unchanged to this day, inspiring the same sense of admiration and reverence in modern visitors."

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou stated: "Greece's natural environment is a living and inseparable part of our identity, history, and culture. Its protection and enhancement lie at the heart of our government's policy. Mount Olympus, designated Greece's first National Park in 1938, is a sanctuary for rare birds of prey and is home to 28% of the country's plant taxa—more than 1,900 species, including 27 that are endemic to Olympus and found nowhere else in the world—as well as significant wildlife populations. From Mount Olympus—a global symbol linking the ancient myth of Greece's highest mountain as the abode of the gods with our country's environmental future—to the Untrodden Mountains initiative and the new National Marine Parks announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and now being implemented, we are demonstrating in practice that the protection of nature and biodiversity remains a steadfast national priority. Through the establishment and strengthening of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), we have laid the foundations for a modern, integrated system for managing Greece's protected areas. Thanks to the close cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Culture, and NECCA, a comprehensive nomination dossier was prepared for Mount Olympus' inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, successfully bringing to fruition an effort that began in 2014."

Mount Olympus (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

The successful completion of Mount Olympus' nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Mixed Property is the result of close and fruitful cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy in safeguarding and promoting Greece's cultural and natural heritage. The nomination dossier was prepared by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in cooperation with the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, drawing on the expertise of both institutions in the fields of natural and cultural heritage. The successful outcome of the nomination highlights the value of cross-sectoral cooperation. Combined with the contribution of the competent authorities and their specialized expertise, the scientific community, local government, relevant stakeholders, and other interested parties, this cooperation led to the preparation of a highly complex dossier that successfully met the rigorous requirements of the World Heritage Convention.

This inscription is of particular significance, as Mount Olympus has been inscribed on the List as a Mixed Property, one of the most demanding categories under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Inclusion in this category requires comprehensive documentation demonstrating both the site's cultural and natural values. Mixed Properties represent a relatively small proportion of all inscriptions on the World Heritage List. Mount Olympus was also the only mixed-property nomination submitted for consideration during the current session of the Committee. Together with the previously inscribed sites of Meteora and Mount Athos, Greece now has three Mixed Properties on the World Heritage List. With a total of 21 World Heritage inscriptions, this achievement is of particular importance for the country, further strengthening Greece's international presence within the framework of the Convention.

Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) on Mount Olympus (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

Waterfall at the Enipeas Gorge (left), Ramonda (Jankaea) heldreichii at the Enipeas Gorge (right)

At the same time, this inscription recognizes the exceptional natural value of Mount Olympus as a site of outstanding importance for biodiversity. Rising to an altitude of 2,918 metres, and owing to its proximity to the Aegean coast, its extensive altitudinal range, rugged terrain, topographical isolation, and historical role as a glacial refuge, Olympus supports 1,983 taxa, representing more than 25% of Greece's flora. This remarkable botanical richness, combined with the exceptionally high concentration of narrowly endemic species—species found nowhere else in the world but on Olympus—endows the mountain with global significance, making it a true "ark of biodiversity." At the same time, Olympus hosts a rich fauna, including numerous species of birds and mammals, as well as the brown bear and the largest Greek subpopulation of the wild goat, along with reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Sanctuary of Isis at the Archaeological Park of Dion. Dion stands in the northern foothills of Mount Olympus, and exercises complete control over the narrow defile leading from Macedonia to Thessaly

Mount Olympus, Greece's highest mountain and a timeless symbol of Greek civilization and world cultural heritage, as the mythical home of the Twelve Olympian Gods, occupies a central place in the worldview of the ancient Greeks. Its influence, conveyed through the Homeric epics, Hesiod's Theogony, and later literary traditions, extended far beyond the boundaries of the ancient world. Today, Olympus continues to inspire literature, the arts, philosophy, the sciences, and contemporary global cultural expression. The archaeological site of Dion (photo above), located at the foot of the mountain, represents the most significant material expression of the worship of the Olympian Gods, organically complementing this exceptional cultural and natural landscape.

Read also:

Olympus: The mountain of the gods

The post The Greater Olympus Area inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Summer in Greece is synonymous with sunshine, the sea, and a vibrant cultural scene. This season, island escapes and visits to historic destinations offer more than breathtaking landscapes: they also provide the opportunity to discover some of the year's most exciting art exhibitions. From landmark retrospectives of acclaimed artists to innovative group shows in remarkable heritage sites, Greek News Agenda offers a selection of exhibitions not to miss during your summer travels through the Greek islands. Take a deep breath—and dream!

ANDROS

The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation presents at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Andros a tribute to Germaine Richier (1902-1959), one of the most important figures in 20th century European sculpture, titled “Germaine Richier (1902-1959) – Conversations” (until September 27, 2026). The exhibition retraces the entirety of Richier’s artistic career; despite her premature death at the age of 57, she left behind a remarkably coherent body of work devoted entirely to the exploration of living forms. The exhibition also features a reconstruction of Richier's studio and highlights her work in printmaking. (upper photo: Andros Chrora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/andros)

PAROS

As part of the cultural program of Paros Park, the Porto Aoussa art space in Naoussa, Paros, hosts the exhibition “Memories from the Aegean” by internationally renowned photographer Robert A. McCabe (until September 30, 2026). The exhibition features 82 selected photographs, personally chosen by the artist specifically for Paros. Through McCabe's lens, visitors journey across the Aegean islands from the 1950s to the late 1970s, discovering a Greece that existed before the tourism boom and the arrival of modern transportation. His photographs capture people who are humble yet proud, living and working within an authentic, unpretentious landscape. At the same time, the photographs reveal the innocence of islands such as Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini, long before they evolved into the cosmopolitan destinations they are today.

(upper photo: Paros Naoussa, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/paros)

POROS

The Citronne Gallery on Poros island presents two solo exhibitions: "The Game of Emergence" by Aphrodite Liti (lower photo left, until September 13, 2026) and "Traces" by Nikos Podias (lower photo right, until September 30, 2026), the latter organized in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands. Aphrodite Liti sets up a sculptural world where sea, memory and myth fuse into a single spatial experience. A contemporary conceptual practice emerges as the artist creates an open field of relations and interactions—between the art and the setting, matter and light, the natural and the artificial, the familiar and the surreal. She employs reflection, scale and transformation to correlate nature, myth and dream. Nikos Podias collects mundane materials and reworks them into precious, almost votive objects. Fragile matter—paper, teabags, tin foil—comes into the Archaeological Museum of Poros to meet the sturdiness of marble, the hardness of metal and the earthly density of clay.

(upper photo: Poros, https://www.discovergreece.com/attica/poros )

SAMOS

The group exhibition “Fragments and Futures”, presented at Art Space Pythagorion (until October 2, 2026), the exhibition venue of the Schwarz Foundation on Samos, brings together contemporary artists whose work engages with the visual languages, material remains, and mythic narratives of classical archaeology. Through painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and digital media, these artists reconsider how ancient forms and artefacts continue to shape our cultural imagination. The exhibition asks: What does it mean to “unearth” the past today? How do contemporary artists reinterpret the ruins and relics of antiquity in light of present-day questions about identity, heritage, and historical narrative? Rather than treating classical archaeology as a fixed canon of beauty and order, the exhibition foregrounds it as a site of active interpretation. The exhibition is curated by Katerina Gregos and Ioli Tzanetaki. (lower photo: Lucia Tallová, From the series Unstable Monuments, 2023)

(upper photo: Samos Pythagorio, https://www.discovergreece.com/north-aegean-islands/samos)

CORFU

The National Gallery’s Corfu Annex presents the exhibition ”Alekos Fassianos. Under the Summer Sun” (until January 11, 2027). The poetic gaze of Alekos Fassianos unfolds through figures, colours, and moments inspired by everyday life and memory. Bringing together 46 works – including oils, acrylics, and prints – the exhibition offers a representative overview of the artist’s creative journey. The featured pieces are drawn from the collections of the National Gallery, the Alekos Fassianos Museum, and private collections, spanning nearly six decades of his artistic production. Together, they highlight both the consistency and the evolution of Fassianos’s practice, alongside his singular ability to transform life’s “small, ordinary” moments into images full of life and intensity. (lower photo: Fassianos Alekos (1935 - 2022), Set for the Play “Let’s go for a Walk”, Oil on canvas, 300 x 400 cm, National Gallery)

(upper photo: Corfu, https://www.discovergreece.com/ionian-islands/corfu)

And after immersing yourself in the world of art, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands

Andros, Old Lady's Leap beach (https://andros.gr/en/beaches.html, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-things-do-andros)

Paros, Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach) (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/12-best-beaches-paros#chrissi-akti-beach)

Poros, The Russian Bay (https://visitporos.com/beaches.html)

Samos, Tsamadou beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/12-best-beaches-samos)

Corfu, Palaiokastritsa beach (https://visit.corfu.gr/category/beaches/, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/cover-story/best-beaches-corfu)

The post Arty Summer Holidays on the Greek Islands, Part 1/4 (Andros, Paros, Poros, Samos, Corfu) appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Greek tourism continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience, breaking one record after another, according to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Anna Karamanli speaking at the Sports & Tourism Summit 2026. Focusing on special-interest tourism, the Deputy Minister referred to sports tourism, noting that Greece possesses all the comparative advantages needed to develop into a leading sports tourism destination: a unique natural environment, diverse landscapes, conditions that support sports activities throughout the year, a long-standing athletic tradition, and modern infrastructure that is continually being upgraded. (Cover photo: the 63^rd Aegean International Sailing Rally, 18-27 July 2026)

As Ms. Karamanli emphasized, 2025 was the best year ever for Greek tourism. "The first data for 2026 confirm that this momentum is continuing. During the first four months of 2026, tourism revenues jumped to approximately €2.791 billion, representing a 36.9% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, arrivals during the same period increased by 27.1% compared with the corresponding period in 2025," the Deputy Minister noted. At the same time, according to Ms. Karamanli, data from the Bank of Greece confirm Greece's gradual strengthening as a destination not only during the peak summer season but also in the winter and shoulder seasons. As she explained, extending the tourism season has been one of the Ministry of Tourism's primary objectives from the outset. "The data available so far show that we are on the right track to achieving this goal. Greek tourism withstands challenges, adapts to change, and continues to evolve with a focus on quality, sustainability, and resilience. From day one, we set a clear objective: not simply to attract more visitors or achieve better numerical results, but to build a tourism sector that creates greater value for the country, for local communities, and for future generations," Ms. Karamanli added.

The Sports & Tourism Summit 2026, "Sport and Tourism as a Vehicle for Social Development," is a new international forum for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas focused on the ecosystem of sport, tourism, and major events. The summit aims to showcase how sport, destinations, innovation, and contemporary experience-driven initiatives can contribute to sustainable development, international outreach, and the creation of a lasting social impact. Over the course of two days (30.6-1.7.2026), Athens hosted representatives from governments, sports organizations, Olympic institutions, tourism organizations, academic institutions, brands, media, and leading international experts, with the goal of fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of sport and tourism.

Speaking at the Sports & Tourism Summit 2026, the Deputy Minister said: "To support sports tourism, we are leveraging resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to fund major projects at tourist marinas, diving parks, ski resorts, and accessible beaches. These investments significantly enhance the potential for the development of sports tourism and other forms of thematic tourism throughout the country." At the same time, the Ministry of Tourism has consistently supported flagship sporting events, including the Athens Authentic Marathon, the Aegean International Sailing Rally, and the historic Acropolis Rally, which concluded successfully just a few days ago.

The Marathon Race has always had a prominent place in the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts, as it represents the highest effort where the human body, soul and mind are tested to their limits as the runner presses himself/herself to reach the finish line. SEGAS, the Hellenic Athletics Association, has the honor and the historic responsibility to organize annually the Athens Authentic Marathon on the Original Marathon Course. Thousands of runners from all over the world are expected to participate in every year’s race. Apart from the sporting experience, they have the chance to enjoy the traditional Greek hospitality, discover the fascinating landscape of our country and explore a city which is constantly improving its standards (https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/en)

The International Aegean Rally is a sailing race with a long and distinguished history, organized every year by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC). It is the oldest and most prestigious sailing event in Greece, often described as a Marathon at sea. The total distance covered each year varies depending on the islands selected as intermediate destinations, ranging from approximately 350 to 500 nautical miles. The race features a wide variety of sailing yachts, differing in length and sail area, categorized between performance racing yachts and cruising yachts. The rally takes place during the best season of the year, when ideal weather conditions prevail across the Aegean. Local winds and the well-known Meltemi, blowing steadily at 20–30 knots, dominate throughout the race. The sun shines over the deep blue sea, and summer is at its peak, with temperatures around 30°C. A major factor in the success of the Aegean Rally is the natural beauty and local character of the islands visited or passed by each year. The traditional Greek islands, with their picturesque scenery and hospitable inhabitants, offer participants moments of relaxation and tranquility during the event. (https://aegeanrally.gr/?lang=en )

The 2026 EKO Acropolis Rally, serving as the 8th round of the FIA World Rally Championship WRC, stood out as one of the most innovative and logistically ambitious editions in the event's 73-year history. Transitioning into a new era, the legendary "Rally of the Gods" relocated its main hub and Service Park south to the coastal town of Loutraki, introducing a refreshed route with nearly 75% entirely new stages. The event combined Greece’s distinct landscape with modern sporting entertainment. The spectacle commenced in Athens with an asphalt head-to-head Super Special Stage inside The Ellinikon Sports Park. Spanning 17 gravel stages across Attica, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese, the 2026 route put a massive technical premium on vehicle durability and tire management. Scorching summer temperatures and sharp bedrock tested the grid of 58 crews, reinforcing the Acropolis Rally's reputation as the ultimate test of endurance for modern rally machinery (https://www.acropolisrally.gr/2026/en/)

In the same spirit of international outreach, the Ministry of Tourism is also actively participating in European initiatives such as EuroVelo, the pan-European long-distance cycling route network, which promotes cycling tourism and sustainable mobility across Europe. In addition, new thematic sports tourism initiatives are being developed, including cycling tourism events under The Greek Gravel Experience initiative. These events are held in different regions of Greece, including Megalopolis, Amarantos (Karditsa), and Marathon.

The Greek Gravel Experience is an innovative cycling initiative launched as an umbrella project to establish gravel bike racing and cycling tourism across Greece. Conceived by cycling experts and organized by the MBike team (the organizers behind the Athens Bike Festival), the initiative aims to combine competitive sports, sustainable tourism, and community building. (https://gravelchallenge.gr/)

For 2026, the initiative structures a trilogy of distinct events traversing different terrains:

• Megalopolis Gravel Classic: A mountainous weekend festival tracking through rural backroads and historic trails in Arcadia, featuring a special twin-destination partnership with Italy's GeoGravel Tuscany.
• Amarantos Gravel Experience: An adventure-focused, two-day mountain ride through the dense forests of the Thessalian Agrafa, where participants camp in a local village square and experience authentic hospitality.
• The Gravel of Marathon: The flagship event scheduled for November 15, 2026, which marks Greece's historical debut in the prestigious UCI Gravel World Series, acting as a direct qualifier for the 2027 World Championship.

"Sports tourism, however, is not limited only to major international events or European initiatives. It opens new paths for tourism development through the organization of sports events of local interest in popular tourist destinations, such as the Spetses Mini Marathon and the Santorini Experience," Ms. Karamanli stated, adding that "in this effort, the contribution of Local Government is decisive. In recent years, more and more Municipalities and Regions are systematically investing in sports events tailored to the identity and potential of each place. Events that highlight the natural and cultural wealth of each region and create substantial added value for local communities."

The Spetses Mini Marathon is Greece's premier multi-sport festival, held annually in October on the picturesque island of Spetses. Founded in 2011, it has grown into an international award-winning event that combines athleticism, culture, and high-end sports tourism. (https://spetsesmarathon.com/en/homepage-en/)

The Santorini Experience is a premier sports tourism event that showcases the raw, volcanic landscape of Santorini through high-level athletic challenges. Organized annually by the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group, the event attracts professional and amateur athletes from all over the world, significantly extending the island's tourism season. (https://santorini-experience.com/en/ )

The Visit Greece platform presents Greece as a year-round, four-season sports tourism destination, highlighting diverse land and water-based activities that cater to active travelers. The website, recently updated to promote sustainable travel, showcases options ranging from extreme rock climbing to international sailing events. Explore the full range of activities at https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/events/sports.

With so many amazing climbing spots and jaw-dropping scenery, Kalymnos has become a landmark for climbing enthusiasts from all around the world. (Source: https://www.discovergreece.com/ )

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/  )

Read also:

The new official Greek tourism portal VisitGreece.gr is now online!

The post Greece: A Premier Sports Tourism Destination appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The new VisitGreece.gr, the official online portal for Greek tourism, officially launched on 1 July 2026, marking a new chapter in Greece's digital tourism promotion and communication. Presenting the new platform, Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni said it represents a new approach to showcasing Greece's tourism identity internationally and engaging with visitors through the possibilities of modern technology. The redesign of VisitGreece.gr is part of the "Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation" project, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

In her address, Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni stressed that Greece's natural and cultural heritage is now acquiring a new digital dimension, further highlighting the authenticity, quality and richness of the experiences the country has to offer.  She noted that Greek tourism is in a strong growth phase, with 2025 marking a third consecutive record year. Revenues rose by 10% compared with 2024, outpacing arrivals and reflecting an upgrade in travel quality. She also pointed to continued growth beyond the summer season, with the first four months of 2026 showing a 37% increase in tourism revenues year-on-year. "These figures give us reason for optimism, but not for complacency," she said, noting that the international environment is constantly evolving.

The Minister underlined the goal of turning strong performance into long-term value for local communities, businesses and workers, while boosting the competitiveness of Greek destinations through diversification and special-interest tourism. These efforts are supported by Recovery and Resilience Facility-funded projects, including investments in infrastructure, accessibility and skills. Referring to the Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, she stressed that it goes beyond a new website, aiming to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem connecting information, culture, technology and the visitor experience.

(Source: https://mintour.gov.gr/  )

The new “VisitGreece.gr”

As the Minister explained, the project is developed along three main pillars:

• The Digital Tourism Map, which through extensive recording, organisation and documentation of Greece’s tourism assets will serve as a tool for planning, promotion and the sustainable development of each destination.

• The Digital Repository and the Digital Interactive Tourism Museum. For the first time, a vast volume of the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s (GNTO) historical archive has been organised and digitised. A valuable part of the history of Greek tourism is now preserved and made accessible to citizens, researchers and future generations.

• The complete redesign of VisitGreece and the creation of a unified digital experience through the new website and the VisitGreece app.

The Minister also referred to the cooperation between the Greek government and ElevenLabs, one of the world’s leading companies in voice AI. Through the new VisitGreece platform, this technology is brought directly to the public, offering multilingual communication and a new personalised information experience. At the same time, it serves as a valuable tool for regions, municipalities, local communities and tourism businesses.

The new VisitGreece leverages Artificial Intelligence, enabling users to interact with digital assistants, receive personalised recommendations, organise their trips and access real-time information through a more natural and human-like communication experience.

Artificial intelligence is at the core of the new digital ecosystem, powering the AI Recommendation Chatbot and the Virtual Tourist Office. Operating through two complementary modes—Chat Mode for personalized trip planning and InfoDesk Mode for verified information on visas, ferry services, accessibility, and other travel essentials—the system provides visitors with reliable, official guidance throughout their journey. The redesigned mAI Greece application has also been fully integrated into the new Visit Greece app, creating a seamless digital experience.

Going beyond traditional text-based interaction, the AI assistant now supports natural voice conversations through speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies, developed in collaboration with ElevenLabs. Visitors can speak in their own language, ask questions naturally, and receive spoken responses, significantly improving accessibility and making trusted travel information more immediate and intuitive.

The new Visit Greece portal and app further enhance the visitor experience by offering a fully personalized digital companion. Users can plan itineraries with the AI Trip Planner, navigate using their device's GPS, and receive live updates on events and activities. Greece's cultural heritage is brought to life through the Visit Greece AR App, which enables visitors to explore 3D models and digital reconstructions of cultural assets and reliefs, both on-site and remotely. The experience is completed with Traveler Stories, an interactive platform that allows visitors to share their own travel memories and experiences through intelligent content creation tools.

The Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)

This is the most comprehensive and sophisticated digital infrastructure programme ever undertaken in the history of Greece's public tourism sector, creating a unified, interoperable ecosystem of national scale. The project encompasses the simultaneous development of multiple interconnected digital solutions, including the new VisitGreece.gr portal, its companion mobile application, and AI-powered assistants—the AI Trip Planner and AI Chatbot—designed to deliver personalized visitor services.

The programme also integrates a Digital Geographic Map featuring 15,000 documented points of interest, alongside initiatives to preserve and showcase the historical archive of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) through a 3D Interactive Museum and the Visit Greece AR App. Supporting this innovative digital ecosystem is a robust backend infrastructure powered by advanced Big Data Analytics and digital management systems for local tourism businesses.

The history of Greek tourism is preserved through the platform by means of two interconnected tools: the Digital Repository and the Digital Interactive Tourism Museum. Thousands of historical assets from the archives of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)—including iconic posters, photographs, publications, and films—have been digitized, catalogued, and preserved. This unique collection is now accessible to the public, while the 3D Digital Interactive Tourism Museum allows users to explore the evolution of the Greek tourism brand from the 1950s to the present day through an immersive virtual experience, accessible directly from their computer.

The history of tourism campaigns in Greece demonstrates the evolution of the country’s destination branding, as tourism itself has been transformed over the years searching for experience and authenticity in a digital globalized world 

With its long coastline, islands and warm climate, Greece is an ideal destination for summer sports. Visitors can enjoy activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, running and beach sports throughout the summer season from May to October across the mainland and the Greek islands.

Read also:

A journey to Greece’s tourism campaigns: from archaeology to sharing authentic experience and values

Memorandum of Understanding Between Greece and AI Company ElevenLabs for Digital Government

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On May 29, the Grand Arsenal of Chania hosted an event that captures the new era opening for Greece’s largest island, Crete.  The Economist  and Powergame.gr  organized the conference “Investing in Change: How Crete is Being Transformed,” with thematic pillars spanning from development and tourism to infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, road safety, circular economy, and culture.

Crete is currently at a pivotal development crossroads. Major infrastructure projects that are being implemented or planned — from road networks and water management works to energy interconnections — combined with strategic investments in tourism and hospitality, are shaping a new development model for the island and for the Greek periphery as a whole. Strengthening infrastructure resilience, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, upgrading the tourism product and attracting international investment constitute decisive factors for the long-term prosperity of Crete and of Greece. The main pillars to be addressed during the conference include:

• The strategic importance of major infrastructure projects for Crete’s economic growth
• Investments in tourism and the transition to a high-quality, sustainable hospitality model
• The role of energy and interconnections in shaping a new productive landscape
• The contribution of local production and the primary sector to the island’s extroversion
• The cooperation between Government, Local Authorities and the private sector in accelerating development.

(Source, agenda and key speakers: https://events.economistenterprise.com/  )

In the context of the conference, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated as the keynote speaker in a conversation with Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London. The discussion was moderated by Alasdair Ross, Countries Editor for The Economist’s The World Ahead, and Joan Hoey, Greece analyst and Europe consultant for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In his opening remarks, referring to Greece’s economic transformation and the investments being made in Crete, the Prime Minister noted, among others:

“We are in Crete, and this is an island which has benefited tremendously from significant public investment. And let me just highlight three projects of great importance. The first, which has already been completed, is the two electric interconnections between Crete and the mainland. These are important not only for reasons of energy security, but also because Crete used to burn diesel oil in order to produce electricity, and now it can benefit from an interconnected network and also leverage the significant renewable potential that the island has.”

“The second incredibly big public investment has been the new airport in Iraklion. When we’re looking at the potential of this island as the sort of the epicenter of the dynamic Greek tourism industry, we cannot envision an island growing to the 21^st century with 20^th century infrastructure. The old airport in Heraklion is struggling to meet the increased demands of people wanting to come to Crete. So building a brand new airport was a priority for us. It will be ready hopefully in 2028. 70% of the project has been completed.”

“And the third big infrastructure project was building a new highway that essentially runs across the northern part of the island. Again, a very significant public investment in infrastructure which is necessary to drive the island forward.”

“So for us, when we look at our agenda, public investments do play an important role alongside policies that foster entrepreneurship, bring in investment, and leverage the comparative advantages of our country. And of course, also all these projects, they’re being constructed by our big construction companies. So this is essentially a public-private partnership, given that these are concession models, which in our mind work very, very well. So this is no longer just about stabilizing the country, improving its image abroad. I think this work to a great extent has been done. Of course, we always need to be very vigilant. This is about the new phase of growth in which public investment plays a very, very important role, especially here in Crete.”

(Source: https://www.primeminister.gr/en/2026/05/29/38626 , Photos: https://www.ertnews.gr )

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in conversation with Mariana Mazzucato at the “Investing in Change: How Crete Is Being Transformed” conference in Chania

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos A. Tasoulas, officially opened the proceedings of the conference noting, among others: "Twenty-eight centuries ago, the beauty and wealth of Crete were described in the Odyssey by Odysseus himself, speaking to Penelope in Book 19: ‘There is a land called Crete in the midst of the wine-dark sea, fair and fertile, surrounded by water, with countless people and ninety cities...’ It is this Crete that has brought us together today—to speak about its beauty and its potential for the sustainable development of its natural wealth, which it has preserved through the centuries."

(Source: https://www.presidency.gr/)

Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, delivered a Keynote speech about the importance of European connectivity for sustainable development. Mr Tzitzikostas noted, among others, "Europe is investing in Crete. Through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), through its infrastructure and transport budget, through the European Investment Bank, through cohesion policy, and through investments in transport, energy, and tourism. It is investing through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which, with €1.37 billion in funding, supports 93 businesses, 72 of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. Europe invests because it believes in this place. It invests because it recognizes its potential. It invests because Crete is not Europe’s periphery. Crete is the center of the Mediterranean. Europe, therefore, is not merely a source of funding. It is a partner; it is an ally. And connectivity is not a technical issue—it is a political one. It is a choice. It is a vision.”

“Crete possesses everything it needs to play a leading role and to become a strategic asset for Greece, which can and should develop into a central hub of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), indeed serving as one of its key terminal gateways. Just as Greece is evolving into a strategic hub for the whole of Eastern Europe through the Aegean–Black Sea rail and road corridor project that we have signed and are now launching—a project that has been my highest priority since I first assumed office. Crete has the geography, the culture, and the people. It now also has the infrastructure that is being built. The new era has already begun. Here. In Crete. In Chania."

(Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ )

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas presented the plans and progress of the major infrastructure projects that are transforming Crete.

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou focused on the dynamic relaunch of Greece’s hydrocarbons programme, the prospect of the first exploratory drilling operation in the Ionian Sea in half a century, and Crete’s emergence as a new energy hub for the country were at the center of remarks by. He outlined Greece’s strategy for the role of natural gas and hydrocarbons within Europe’s evolving energy landscape. According to the minister, the presence of two of the world’s largest private oil companies, Chevron and Exxon Mobil, in Greece’s offshore concession areas is neither a temporary development nor simply a reflection of the policy shift in the United States following the election of Donald Trump. Rather, he argued, it is the result of a long-term and systematic effort that began several years earlier, with Greece making sustained investments in energy infrastructure and the collection of critical geological data.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/, https://www.economistas.gr/ )

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni noted, among others, "Culture is an important instrument of social cohesion. It brings society together in a variety of ways. At the same time, however, it is also a powerful driver of development.” The minister also referred to Greece’s approximately 28,000 archaeological sites and monuments—“an astonishing number,” as she described it—emphasizing that Crete is perhaps the place in the Mediterranean with the highest concentration of cultural assets, monuments, and archaeological sites. "Crete is also one of the most multilayered cultural landscapes, because it is not only home to an extraordinary wealth of archaeological sites and monuments spanning thousands of years, from antiquity to modern times. It is also defined by the immense strength of its traditions and intangible cultural heritage, expressed through its language, dances, songs, and gastronomy. Crete brings all of these elements together.” “At a time when major investments—such as the Northern Road Axis of Crete, the island’s energy interconnection projects, and the new airport at Kastelli—are creating critical infrastructure, what is needed, in my view, is a unifying element that ties all these developments together. That element is culture." Lina Mendoni also referred to the celebration marking the inclusion of the Minoan Palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an inscription that took place in July 2025.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/home/)

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted "Crete is a place with a deep historical memory, a strong identity, and a decisive contribution to Greece’s development trajectory. At the same time, it embodies all the elements that make Greek tourism unique." She also underlined that Crete offers a unique and multifaceted tourism product, combining natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a strong gastronomic identity, thereby reinforcing its position as a year-round, 12-month destination. Addressing the role of Greek tourism, the minister noted that it remains a key pillar of the economy, employment, and regional development, making an especially significant contribution to Crete. The minister further referred to the major infrastructure projects being implemented by the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which are creating new development prospects for Crete and significantly strengthening the island’s connectivity and competitiveness, alongside substantial private-sector investments in tourism.

(Source: https://mintour.gov.gr/  )

Video of the Conference “Investing in change: How Crete is being transformed” (GR)

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The promotion of mountain tourism took center stage at a recent event hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, where Minister Olga Kefalogianni unveiled a comprehensive plan to position Greece’s mountainous regions as a central pillar of the national tourism strategy. This initiative is part of a broader effort for sustainable and balanced development, aiming to extend the tourist season and support local communities.

The new promotional program for mountainous Greece was presented for the first time, aiming to boost the visibility of mountain destinations and attract visitors throughout the year. With the message “Mountainous Greece. It takes you higher. All year round,” the new communication campaign focuses on the concept of authentic experience, highlighting elements such as gastronomy, culture, nature, and outdoor activities. The campaign’s message presents mountainous Greece as a destination that offers not only recreation but also inner balance and rejuvenation. As emphasized, the goal is to showcase the country’s mountainous regions as places where visitors can disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature and themselves. As part of the event, the campaign was introduced with the ambition of serving as a starting point for repositioning mountainous Greece on the tourism map, both domestically and internationally.

“Mountainous Greece. It takes you higher. All year round”

The Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, in his speech highlighted the revitalization of the regions—especially mountainous areas—as one of the main drivers of the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development, a central national goal for balanced growth across the country. “Mountain tourism is not for us an ‘alternative’ option—a stopgap solution. Together with infrastructure, housing, employment, and spatial planning, it is at the forefront of our strategy for regional development,” he emphasized. Mr. Kontogeorgis stressed that mountain tourism is not an isolated activity but a catalyst that mobilizes the entire local economy, from livestock farmers and local product producers to new entrepreneurs. The qualitative upgrading of the tourism product, achieved through the methodical work of the Ministry of Tourism’s leadership, creates the conditions for keeping communities vibrant all year round.

According to the Deputy Minister, the political will to support regional and mountainous areas is confirmed by the establishment of the Special Secretariat for Mountainous Areas within the Presidency of the Government. This new structure operates as a unified institutional pillar and a hub connecting the state with the regions, aiming to implement and further develop a comprehensive national strategy based on 12 pillars that will ensure social cohesion and the revitalization of mountain communities. This strategy will be supported by funding exceeding €1 billion annually (through the Public Investment Program, ESPA, and the European Social Climate Fund), ensuring social cohesion and the upgrading of infrastructure. “Our main concern is to safeguard the right of those who choose to remain in mountainous areas to stay, work, and prosper in the place where they were born and which they love,” he emphasized.

During her address, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni emphasized that mountainous Greece, which covers around 80% of the country’s total land area, must be brought to the forefront. As she noted, it represents “another Greece”—less well known but equally attractive—capable of offering authentic experiences to visitors. Particular emphasis was placed on emerging trends in the global tourism market, with travelers increasingly seeking experiential travel, a connection with nature, and authenticity. In this context, the development of mountain tourism is presented as a strategic choice that meets modern demands and enhances the competitiveness of Greece’s tourism product.

“These modern demand patterns are shaping a new landscape in travel demand, based on the creation of authentic and enriching experiences,” the minister said, adding: “In this direction, focusing on the development and promotion of mountain tourism is a major opportunity for Greece. Thanks to its rugged mountainous terrain—from Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, and the Peloponnese to Crete—our country holds a strong comparative advantage in this sector as well. Every mountainous destination encompasses a multifaceted experience, with valuable resources such as landscapes and ecosystems of exceptional beauty, centuries-old traditions, the warmth of its people, primary production, and unique local products. Our aim, therefore, is to give mountainous Greece a new, leading role—to establish it as a standalone and complete travel option or to complement our strong ‘sun and sea’ brand.”

Within the framework of strengthening mountain tourism, a set of interventions at both institutional and development levels was presented. These include enabling ski resorts to operate year-round, as well as the development of alternative activities beyond skiing. At the same time, plans are being promoted for the creation of a new product, the “Sustainable Mountain Tourism Destination,” which combines tourism development with environmental protection.

Particular importance is also being placed on boosting domestic tourism demand. As announced, the “Tourism for All 2025” program offers increased incentives for holidays in mountainous areas during the winter and shoulder seasons, while a similar approach will be followed in the next program for the 2026–2027 period.

The minister noted that resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility also play a key role in implementing the strategy. An extensive program of projects is currently underway, with a total budget of approximately €90 million, focusing on upgrading infrastructure in mountainous areas and creating a digital promotion platform.

The minister concluded her remarks by stressing the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders, noting that the success of the initiative depends on synergy between the state, local authorities, businesses, and local communities. As she pointed out, the aim is to create a new, fairer, and more sustainable model of tourism development that benefits the entire country.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr, https://mintour.gov.gr)

VisitGreece.gr is the official tourism portal of Greece, operated by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO). The website serves as the primary digital platform for promoting Greece as a year-round travel destination. It provides comprehensive information on destinations, activities, events, and travel planning, including transportation, visas, and safety tips. VisitGreece.gr also offers inspiration for themed trips, itineraries, and unique experiences, helping international visitors easily explore and plan their stay in Greece.

Read also:

Greek mountains – a place for year-round tourism

Discover Greece’s Waterfalls

Zagori Cultural Landscape: Α new entry in UNESCO’s list

Olympus: The mountain of the gods

Mountainous Arcadia: A ‘mythical’ destination in the Peloponnese

Discover the beauty of Kalavrita

Mount Taygetos: Where nature meets heritage

Discover Foloi | The forest of the mythical Centaurs

Metsovo | The compelling charm of a traditional Epirus town

Nymfaio | The Northern Greek village straight out of a fairytale

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The global meetings and events industry turns its spotlight on Greece with the hosting of the Annual Meeting and General Assembly of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) from 25 to 28 February, reaffirming the country’s growing momentum and its strategic position on the global conference map. More than 150 leading professionals attend the event, delivering a strong vote of confidence in Greece, which has long invested strategically in conference tourism. The sector fuels destination development, with the conference delegates and visitors spending five to seven times more than the average traveler. IAPCO represents more than 95 companies employing over 23,000 professionals across 185 countries. The economic impact recorded by its members for 2025 exceeds €16.8 billion.

The conference is themed “The Odyssey Reinvented,” linking Greek mythology with the challenges the sector has faced in recent years — a true odyssey marked by the pandemic, geopolitical turbulence, economic uncertainty, rapid technological advances, and growing sustainability demands. The conference is organised by the four certified IAPCO members in Greece — AFEA Congress, Convin, Era & Erasmus — and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), the This is Athens Convention Bureau, as well as leading organisations and companies across the entire conference organisation ecosystem.

The global IAPCO community gathered at the Acropolis Museum for the official Welcome Reception, marking the start of IAPCO AM&GA Athens 2026 under the theme “The Odyssey Reinvented.” The evening began with an exclusive private tour of the Museum, offering delegates the opportunity to experience one of Greece’s most significant cultural landmarks. (Photos: facebook.com/IAPCO)

The Opening Session was honoured by the presence of Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of Greece, representing the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and Haris Doukas, Mayor of the City of Athens, underscoring the high importance the destination places on the global meetings industry and recognising its far-reaching economic, societal and intellectual impact. (Photos: facebook.com/IAPCO)

In her address, the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni stressed that "Greece is steadily strengthening its position as a modern, competitive, and outward-looking destination for meetings, conferences, and major international events". The Minister welcomed the delegates to Athens, noting that the selection of the Greek capital to host this event constitutes a vote of confidence in the country and recognition of its growing momentum in the field of international conferences and events. Furthermore, she emphasized that through continuous investments, enhanced air connectivity, and high-level services, the city offers a comprehensive and attractive environment for hosting international meetings and high-standard events. The hosting of the IAPCO General Assembly in Athens marks a significant milestone for Greek tourism and confirms the country’s commitment to strengthening conference tourism. At the same time, the Minister underlined that Greece has a modern and constantly evolving ecosystem for the MICE sector, featuring contemporary conference centers, high-quality services, and specialized human resources. Ms. Kefalogianni also highlighted the country’s unique cultural dimension, noting that cultural venues provide distinctive options for hosting events.

(Source: mintour.gov.gr)

The conference was preceded by the IAPCO Council Meeting, which was held at the Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki, hosted by the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau, from 21 to 24 February (Photo: facebook.com/IAPCO).

Speaking to the an interview with the Athens–Macedonian News Agency, IAPCO CEO Martin Boyle pointed out that Greece is seen as “a kind of hub” for the conference market and an attractive destination. “You don’t need to sell the name ‘Greece’ to an international delegate. The moment someone says ‘Greece,’ they already have in mind an idea of what that name means to them (…) and I think that idea is very positive. On the other hand, I believe that when someone looks at other destinations, they even struggle to define what their brand identity is for an international participant. Here (in Greece), that brand is very strong. So there is a real opportunity for you to capitalize on it”. According to Mr. Boyle, the reduction in duration, combined with a focus on a specific perspective, creates exciting opportunities for conference destinations, which could host more medium-sized conferences within a week instead of fewer large ones. “There are more opportunities for medium-sized conferences, and for cities like Thessaloniki, I believe that a number of 1,500–2,000 delegates is really good,” he noted, while adding that the role of safety for conference participants is becoming increasingly important. In this context, European destinations remain at the center of attention.

(Source: amna.gr)

IAPCO AM&GA Athens 2026. “The Odyssey Reinvented” – A Very Human Journey Toward the Meetings of Tomorrow. Athens is a destination with forward-thinking heritage, vibrant urban culture, and world-class meeting facilities, offering excellent connectivity by air and sea, and sustainable and fast transport from the airport. With its impressive rise in the international meetings industry, Athens has already been established on the global map within the top 10 most popular destinations for congresses. (Source: iapco.org) 

IAPCO President, President & CEO of AFEA CONGRESS, Sissy Lignou stated in an interview with the Athens–Macedonian News Agency that the awarding of the international IAPCO conference to Athens is proof of the recognition of the professionalism and capability of Greek organisers to host an event of such high calibre. It also signals trust in the professional core of the international meetings market (PCOs) and confirms that our country can deliver a top-tier industry event in terms of experience, infrastructure and stakeholder collaboration.

 “We chose the theme “The Odyssey Reinvented” in order to highlight not only the importance of the final destination on the way to achieving our goal, but also the great significance of the journey itself and the ‘experience’ that the organisation of conferences and events can create for each visitor or participant. We present the ‘journey’ as an opportunity, beyond the challenges,” Ms Lignou noted.

As the first Greek president of the international organisation, Ms Lignou believes that Greece possesses a deep tradition of hospitality, strong scientific capital, a dynamic academic community, and highly adaptable professionals. “Our scientists are recognised by international organisations, which turn their attention to our country for hosting their national conferences and events. Greek entrepreneurs excel abroad, making Greece an attractive hub for corporate meetings. In recent years, Greek PCOs have demonstrated that they can operate according to international quality standards, incorporate sustainable practices, and leverage technology in meaningful ways,” she notes. She also emphasizes that “Greece can influence global trends not only as an appealing destination, but as a ‘laboratory’ of innovation in conference and event design. Our country’s authenticity can once again highlight the importance of the human element and genuine interaction in a world dominated by technology.”

(Source: amna.gr)

This is Athens – Convention & Visitors Bureau, established in April 2008, is the business division of the city's international brand and advances Athens in the global tourism and meetings industry. As part of Develop Athens S.A., the City of Athens' development agency, it strategically attracts international tourism and investment, leveraging the city's unique assets and cultural heritage. It has been recognized multiple times as Europe's Leading City Tourist Board at the World Travel Awards. Athens has been awarded "World's Leading Cultural City Destination" for 2024 by the World Travel Awards, continuing its recognition as a top destination.

Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB)is a non-profit member-based organization set up by a group of private companies, leading partners of the events and conventions industry, acting as intermediary link between meeting planners and local service providers, conference centers, venues, hotels, PCOs & DMCs. High professionalism in meetings organization, attractive venues, high standards hotels and a large number of relevant to the industry services, add value the city’s charming profile.

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The APSIM project (Applications of Situated Simulations) aims to promote the Greek culture using innovative technologies, assisting both the general public and the new generations to get familiar and love the archaeological wealth of Greece. Using an Augmented Reality (AR) application, visitors of archaeological sites and museums will have the opportunity to enjoy a completely different tour-experience in the archaeological sites, resembling one of a video gaming!

Through the Augmented Reality application CirculAR, cultural heritage sites are transformed into immersive, interactive experiences that connect the past with the present. By combining scientifically documented content with advanced 3D modeling, spatial mapping, and gamification techniques, CirculAR enables users to explore monuments in their original form directly within their physical environment. Using a smartphone or tablet, visitors can visualize reconstructions, navigate around monuments, and engage with historical narratives in a dynamic and intuitive way. The appliation is available free of charge for Android devices via the Google Play Store and for iOS via the App Store.

The creation of the CirculAR application was the result of multifaceted collaboration among scientists from different fields: archaeologists, historians, computer engineers, interface designers, educators, and specialists in cultural policy development. It was developed within the framework of the European APSIM project, coordinated by the I-SENSE research team of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTU), with the participation of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, the Department of History and Archaeology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (University Excavation of Dion), the Epigraphic Museum of Athens, and the companies “GEOANALYSIS S.A.” and “Comic IKE.” The project is implemented under the “Research–Create–Innovate” action of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, co-funded by the European Union.

The island of Delos- sacred in antiquity serving for millennia as a cultural, economic, and religious center - comes to life once again with the help of the innovative Augmented Reality application CirculAR. Using a simple smartphone or tablet, users of the application can experience an augmented reality journey: they can bring the monuments of Delos to life, view them in three dimensions, rotate them, walk around them, and enjoy a completely new, immersive visiting experience. The Temple of Apollo, the Stoa and the House of the Naxians, the Propylaea, the Terrace of the Lions—all those monuments that today are discernible only through their architectural remains—are revived through augmented reality and the use of scientifically documented content.

By using the camera, sensors embedded in mobile phones, and spatial mapping and positioning algorithms, the application “reads” the landscape and digitally places monuments or traces of the past exactly where they once stood. “The user participates, learns, and forms an emotional connection with the monument, transforming historical memory into a personal experience. And this is precisely the goal—so that we can creatively reconnect with the past,” notes researcher Dr. Tina Katika, Head of the XR Department at I-SENSE. (Source: apsim-project.eu,  amna.gr)

APSIM’s Pilot Demonstrations in Delos Island

According to Dr. Angelos Amditis, project coordinator and Director of Research and Development at ICCS/NTUA, speaking to the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), “We are effectively bridging today’s imagination with life in the past. Through the application, you don’t simply see stones or foundations—you see stories, you see architecture, you see human activities. As a result, the application becomes a means of interpretation and understanding, as well as an educational tool grounded in scientific accuracy, essentially transforming the ordinary citizen from a passive observer into an active explorer. In this way, every visit becomes a process of discovery, navigation, knowledge gathering, interaction, and connection”. “The greatest value of the application is that it functions as a bridge across time, carrying the past into the present and the present into the future. In this way, it helps us preserve not only the material but also the intangible dimension of History—creating knowledge and experience, and forging a meaningful relationship between people and place.” (Source: amna.gr)

The application is not limited to Delos. Through the same technology, users can also explore other monuments across Greece. The aim is to incorporate additional monuments into the application in the future.

The Episcopal Basilica of Dion in Pieria.  The ancient Dion, in the region of Pieria, was a sacred site of the Macedonian kingdom. The Roman colony of Dion flourished during the imperial period, particularly in late antiquity. Dion became an episcopal see, which reinforced its importance as an urban centre for the wider region. Near the centre of the ancient city and at a short distance from the Forum, the so-called Episcopal Basilica was built in the 5^th century CE, with at least two successive building phases.

The Philo’s Arsenal (Skeuotheke of Philon), located in the port of Zea (Piraeus), is a significant building preserving the technological memory of ancient warships. In 347 BC, the Athenians decided to construct a building in Piraeus to store the equipment of the military fleet—such as sails, ropes, and tents—during the winter months. The rectangular building, 130 meters long and 18 meters wide, called the Skeuotheke, was designed by the architects Philo and Euthydomos. Ancient writers considered the building the most eminent among the structures of ancient Greek architecture. Its virtual reconstruction was based on a surviving marble inscription, now exhibited at the Epigraphic Museum of Athens, which has been preserved in its entirety.

I.A.

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Greece remains among the top choices for travel in the Mediterranean over the next 12 months, maintaining the strong brand it has built in recent years in the major Western European markets, while further enhancing its image. (Cover Photo: The islands of Koufonisia, Source: visitgreece.gr)

More specifically, Greece ranks 3^rd in preference for outbound travel over the next 12 months in the German and Italian markets, 4^th in the French and UK markets and 6^th in the Spanish market. Compared to 2024, it is particularly encouraging that Greece has moved up by one position in the UK market—which, together with Germany, constitutes one of the two strongest inbound tourism markets in terms of revenue and arrivals for Greek tourism—as well as in the Spanish market, while its ranking remained unchanged in the other markets.

The data come from the latest study (January 2026) by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE), titled “Brand Greece: How attractive is Greece as a tourist destination? Comparison with competing Mediterranean destinations”. The first part of the study focuses on key European markets such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. The research underpinning the study was conducted by GWI in two waves in 2025 (7,402 respondents) and in two waves in 2024, focusing on visitors’ preferences regarding potential travel destinations over the next 12 months, thus including the summer months, which are of critical importance for Greek tourism. The markets examined contribute nearly half (47%–48%) of total inbound tourism revenues, according to official data from the Bank of Greece for the period 2023–2024.

INSETE (Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation SETE) is a research and strategic planning arm of four partners with intense activity in critical areas of the Greek tourism market: SETE, the main association of Greek tourism businessesas the principal partner, The Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (HHF), The Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) and The Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Rented Rooms and Apartments(SETKE). Its mission is to contribute to the promotion and enhancement of the Greek tourism sector through research, data, analysis, and supporting public and private policies.

 VisitGreece.gr is the official tourism portal of Greece, operated by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO). The website serves as the primary digital platform for promoting Greece as a year-round travel destination. It provides comprehensive information on destinations, activities, events, and travel planning, including transportation, visas, and safety tips. VisitGreece.gr also offers inspiration for themed trips, itineraries, and unique experiences, helping international visitors easily explore and plan their stay in Greece. (Source: visitgreece.gr)

Mainland Incredible Destination: Greece is a popular destination not only because of its amazing islands but also because the mainland offers plenty of options for a memorable Mediterranean holiday! Explore unspoilt fishing villages full of tranquil charm, tower towns, and traditional stone built villages or try the exciting city breaks on offer. Visit archaeological sites, learn more about the country's fascinating culture, travel along the spectacular coastline and enjoy its picture-perfect scenery! (Source: visitgreece.gr)

With regard to the INSETE Study, Greece ranks within the top five in all of them, holding 3^rd or 4^th place, except for the Spanish market where it ranks 6^th. Even in that case, however, Greece has moved up by one position, confirming the strong brand of Greek destinations in major markets. Another factor confirming the positive momentum of Greek tourism is the fact that the difference in preference between Greece and the country ranked one position higher in the UK and Spanish markets is only around 2 percentage points.

Compared to competing countries in 2025:

• German market: Greece ranks 3^rd, with Italy and Spain in 1^st and 2^nd place respectively. Germans state that they would choose Italy for outbound travel over the next 12 months at a rate of 26.8%, Spain at 24.9%, Greece at 19.7%, Austria at 19.0%, and France at 17.9%.
• French market: Greece ranks 4^th, with Spain in 1^st place, Italy in 2^nd, and Portugal in 3^rd. For French travelers, Spain records a preference rate of 26.9%, Italy 24.8%, Portugal 15.1%, Greece 12.6%, and so on.
• UK market: Greece, with a preference rate of 19.9%, ranks 4^th, with Spain and Italy in 1^st and 2^nd place respectively, France in 3rd place, and Portugal in 6th place.
• Spanish market: Greece, with a preference rate of 9.5%, ranks 6^th, with Italy and France in 1^st and 2^nd place respectively, followed by Portugal in 3rd place.
• Italian market: Greece, with a preference rate of 16.8%, ranks 3^rd, with Spain and France in 1^st and 2^nd place respectively, and Portugal in 5^th place.

The island of Santorini (Source: visitgreece.gr)

The INSETE Study notes that for the Italian and Spanish markets, competing Mediterranean destinations for Greece such as Croatia and Turkey fall outside the top 10. In addition, it should be taken into account that Greece remains high in the preferences of Western Europeans despite its geographical position, which does not favor road access in the same way as in the case of Germany, which borders France and Austria and through them has access to Italy, making road travel easier—and potentially more economical. Similarly, in the case of France, both Italy and Spain share borders with France and therefore benefit from easy road access. This factor underscores that the attractiveness of Greek destinations is based on a strong and recognizable tourism product.

Elías Kikilias, General Director of INSETE, stated to the Athens News Agency: “The Greek tourism brand, having established itself at the highest level of competition in the Mediterranean, has entered a phase of maturity in an environment where competition is competition is structural in nature, not driven by short-term circumstances, with Spain and Italy acting as leading destinations. Strengthening sustainability and resilience, preserving destinations’ identity, and differentiating our tourism product within the framework of a long-term and coherent strategy that coordinates public and private efforts are more imperative than ever”.

(Source: amna.gr, insete.gr) 

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