ATHENS PRESIDENT PHOTO CREDITS Αll photos unless otherwise stated are either property or under licence of the Athens Development and DEVELOPMENT Maria Logotheti Destination Management Agency. Photo credits: Pantelis Konsolakis, Effie Paroutsa page credits AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, ADDMA / 005 Photo by Giorgis Gerolympos , Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Archive 024-025 Region of Attica Archive DESTINATION CITY OF ATHENS CONVENTION & 037 Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs/ Archaeological Receipts Fund. National Archaeological Museum Archive MANAGEMENT VISITORS BUREAU (ACVB) Photos by Kostas Ksenikakis, Giannis Patrikianos, Stefanos Stournaras AGENCY Alexis Galinos 038 Benaki Museum Archive 038 Museum of Cycladic Art Archive (ADDMA) 038 Numismatic & Epigraphic Museum Archive, ACVB Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs 038, 107 Hellenic Motor Museum Archive Maria Papadopoulou Marketing & Sales Manager 044 National Theater Archive 044 Municipal Theater of Piraeus Archive Lida Porfyri Marketing & Sales Manager 045 Hellenic American Union Library Archive Eliza Tsolakou Senior Destination Manager 045 Athens Concert Hall “Lilian Voudouri” Archive 046 Argo Gallery Archive Anna-Maria Chatzidaki Marketing Manager 046-047 Kalfayan Galleries Archive 056 Photo by Nikos Alexopoulos, Onassis Cultural Centre Archive 057 Photo by Katerina Avgerinou, Funky Gourmet PUBLIC RELATIONS & EVENTS 057 Photo by Christian Potelle, Spondi 062 Photo by Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, Industrial Gas Museum Archive Emmanouella Stamiri 063 Photo by Haris Akriviadis, Greek National Opera Archive 063 Photo by Yiannis Soulis, Onassis Cultural Centre Archive MEDIA RELATIONS 064 Dora Stratou Theater Archive 065 Didi Music-Big Star Promotion Archive George Angelis 067 Photo by Christina Alossi, Woodkid 106 Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre Archive 106 The Goulandris Museum of Natural History Archive CONTACT 107 Planetarium, Eugenides Foundation Archive 7 Xenofontos Street, Syntagma, Gratitude goes to the Hellenic Olympic Committee for their permission to take photos of the Panathinaic Stadium. 105 57 Athens, Greece © ATHENS TRAVEL TRADE MANUAL. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it T. +30 210 32 53 123, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Athens Develop- F. +30 210 32 16 653 ment and Destination Management Agency. Where opinion is expressed it is that of the authors and does not necessarily coincide with the editorial views of the publisher of the Travel Trade Manual. All E. [email protected] information in this manual is verified to the best of the authors’ and the publisher’s ability. The Travel www.athenscvb.gr | www.developathens.gr Trade Manual does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on it. www.thisisathens.org MAYOR’S ADDRESS ATHENS TOURISM IS OF MAJOR STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR THE CITY OF ATHENS AS IT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING AND LARGEST SECTORS IN OUR COUNTRY. Athens is a vibrant and hospitable city, offering countless activities for all types of visitors. It is a European capital bursting with creativity and character, lively debate, intellectual exchange. A city blessed with year round sunshine, offering blue flag beaches, a thriving gastronomical scene and endless temptations for shopping, sea and adventure seekers. Its modern tourism identity is characterised by new infrastructure, an excellent transportation network, renowned museums, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites, the longest pedestrian archaeological park in Europe, the Parthe- non and the Acropolis Museum, the focal point for museum fans worldwide. I invite you to explore the Travel Trade Manual, created to help you choose from a range of adventures and experiences in our City and discover its treasures in depth. Welcome to our city, the city of mythology and authenticity, the city of history and vision, the City of Athens. Athens will bring you unforgettable memories inspired by the beauty of culture, eternal values, history and modern-day accomplishments that will capture your heart, making you want to visit us again and again. Georgios Kaminis Mayor of Athens 4 ATHENS TRAVEL TRADE MANUAL 5 ABOUT ACVB At the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) we make every effort to promote Athens as an attractive year-round destination for business and leisure travelers. ADDMA operates the City of Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, (ACVB) the city’s official Destination Management Organisation. The ACVB focuses on both the MICE and city break sectors through destination management development marketing services. The ACVB implements a master plan that entails actions for increasing average length of stay, smoothing out seasonality and building up the local visitors’ economy. It develops cooperation networks between the private and public sectors and strengthens connections with the international travel industry. Moreover, major tasks include branding and implementing an inte- grated communication and PR strategy as well as running visitor information and management services. The ACVB applies the internationally recognised best practice of ‘Members Program’ to enterprises involved in confe- rence tourism, such as conference centres, hotels, conference organisers, audio-visual enterprises, caterers etc. GLOBAL EXPO & TRADE SHOWS PRESENCE The ACVB participates in major international exhibitions such as ITB, WTM, IMEX and EIBTM, to network and do business with professional congress organisers, tour operators, hosted buyers, professional associations, travel media representatives, etc. DESTINATION MANAGEMENT & MARKETING VISITOR SERVICES This is Athens: “This is Athens” is the city’s official campaign, The ACVB has developed a network of info-points staffed aiming to attract a wide variety of target groups by capturing by trained personnel, guiding visitors about everything Athens’ multifaceted personality. Athens has to offer, and supplying them with printed maps The www.thisisathens.org visitor’s portal contains a sub- and visitor guides. stantial volume of quality and timely information regarding The ACVB runs an info-point on a year-round, 7 day-a week the city’s tourism product. basis at the Athens International Airport. The portal features interactive maps of the city with useful information and a calendar of cultural events. It also allows TRAVEL TRADE ATHENS users to browse according to different criteria – for example www.traveltradeathens.gr ‘Athens Top Ten’, ‘Athens in 1-to-6 days’, ‘Strolling through Athens’ Moreover, at www.thisisathens.org prospec- Travel Trade Athens is the signature annual trade event for tive visitors may find user generated content through Trip the City of Athens, hosting selected international buyers Advisor, on over 300 hotels in Athens. focused on Athens & Greece. Hundreds of tourism profes- The www.athenscvb.gr is a business-to-business portal sionals and travel journalists from around the world parti- catering to the MICE and leisure sectors. cipate each year. The ACVB runs a newsletter service to its subscribers. This Athens - dedicated trade show includes pre scheduled B2B appointments, workshops with cutting-edge presentations by leading international industry experts and an extensive menu of social programs to experience Greek hospitality first-hand and network with participating decision makers. 4 ATHENS TRAVEL TRADE MANUAL 5 INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL COLLABORATIONS ACVB invests in building international partnerships by joining international networks and organisations such as the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), ICCA, the European Tour Operators Association, the European Cities Marketing (ECM), the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), the World Youth & Student Travel Confederation (WYSE) and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Asso- ciation (IGLTA). ACVB is also a member of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises. THIS IS MY ATHENS myathens.thisisathens.org ‘This is My Athens’ is a free program available to visitors to Athens. It is staffed by volunteer Athenians who are excited to show you ‘their city; and all it has to offer. The Meeting Planners Guide is the official guide to Athens meeting, incentive, and conference and events facilities. 6 ATHENS TRAVEL TRADE MANUAL 7 INDEX DISCOVER ATHENS ON YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS WITH THIS USEFUL MANUAL #17 METROPOLITAN Explore what Athens and the Region of Attica have to offer at a glance. #27 HISTORIC PATHWAYS Stroll through the secret and historic alleys of Athens. #37 CULTURE Tips for all Athenian sites, museums, libraries, art galleries, Byzantine churches and more. #53 GREEK GASTRONOMY Savour dishes and sweets belonging to one of the most mouthwatering cuisines in the world and find the best restaurants in town. #67 GOOD TIME Enjoy one of the most buzzing nightlife in Europe, find tips about the most important venues and festivals. #85 SHOP TILL YOU DROP Find everything for the perfect shopping spree for all budgets; where to go, what to shop. #91 ACCOMMODATION Find out what Athens has to offer in terms of accommodation. #117 FAMILY TIME Offer your family the perfect holiday combining culture and pleasure. 6 ATHENS TRAVEL TRADE MANUAL 7 #125 YOUTH & STUDENTS Find all necessary information and tips to have the most exhilarating stay in Athens. #129 LGBT Find out why Athens is one of the favourite