• New European Commission strategy for Maritime & Coastal Tourism to be presented in Athens, Greece

The new European Commission strategy for Maritime & Coastal Tourism, outlines 14 actions to support coastal regions and businesses, among which the facilitation of the cooperation and dialogue across Europe and many more. The strategy will be discussed at a conference organized with the opportunity of the Greek Presidency on 10 March in Athens, which will bring together authorities, businesses and other stakeholders. Implementation of the concrete actions will follow in the coming months. For more information, please visit the following link:

http://news.gtp.gr/2014/02/25/commission-presents-new-european-strategy-promote-coastal-maritime-tourism/?utm_source=GTP+headlines+list&utm_campaign=b1d3573f09-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_742e571d31-b1d3573f09-64831037

• Thessaloniki, Best mid-sized European City of the Future for 2014/2015 (HR & Lifestyle)

The annual competition held by the Financial Times’ FDI magazine (Foreign Direct Investments) awarded Thessaloniki with the title of the best mid-sized European city of the future for 2014/2015, in terms of human resources and lifestyle. Thessaloniki competed with 46 medium sized cities such as Lyon and Zurich, and ranked first. The criteria for this category include the level of education, the number of universities, the students and the quality of life. If you need further information, please contact us. To read the full report, please visit:
http://static.tijd.be/upload/European_Cities_and_Regions_of_the_Future_201415_4687454-10313872.pdf

• The Cyclades one of the 7 most romantic places in the world, according to Business Insider

The turquoise-blue waters, the sandy beaches, the everlasting sunshine combined with the delicious Greek cuisine and the undoubted hospitality of the locals, are few of the reasons the Cyclades were included in the list of the 7 most romantic places in the world. The visitors vary from honeymooners, to young couples and families, to everyone that wants to live a unique and unforgettable experience. For more information, please follow the link: http://www.businessinsider.com/romantic-getaways-around-the-world-2014-2.

• Colin Farell and Rachel Weisz starring in Yorgos Lanthimos’s new movie

Collin Farell and Rachel Weisz will take the lead roles in “The Lobster”, the new movie by 2009 Oscar-nominated Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos. The film is described as a science fiction romance and will be the director's first film in English. The film is financed by the BFI Film Fund, the Irish Film Board, Eurimages, Greek Film Centre, CNC and the Dutch Film Fund and will start filming on March in Ireland with Ben Whishaw and Leas Seydoux completing the all star cast. For more information, please follow the link: http://variety.com/2014/film/news/colin-farrell-rachel-weisz-to-star-in-the-lobster-1201083986/.

• Travel Trade Athens opens its gates in April

Travel Trade Athens is the signature annual trade event for the City of Athens hosting selected international buyers focused on Athens & Greece. Hundreds of tourism professionals eager to promote or discover products and experiences that Athens has to offer and industry professionals from all over the world will explore new opportunities and the latest international market trends. Travel Trade Athens 2014 will take place at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre on the 14th and 15th of April 2014. For more information please follow the link: http://www.traveltradeathens.gr/.

• Thessaloniki’s “The Excelsior” awarded by Tripadvisor and Trivago

The Excelsior hotel in Thessaloniki , member of Small Luxury Hotels of the world and winner of the “International 5 Star Diamond Award“, has recently won two very important awards. The “Traveller’s Choice 2014 Award“ by the global rating organization Trip Advisor, which classified The Excelsior in the first place among city hotels throughout Greece, and the distinction “Top Hotel” of the city of Thessaloniki, awarded by the visitors of Trivago website. For more information please, follow the link:

http://www.macedonianhotels.gr/blog/announcements/international-recognition-for-achieving-excellence/

• Greece included in the 7 most unbelievable pools around the world list

Greece recently featured in the 7 most unbelievable pools around the world list as picked by the staff of Canadian channel Travel and Escape. The Katikies Hotel’s cave pool in Santorini won 2nd place and the Giola natural pool in Thassos 7th, being the only natural pool to be featured on the list. For more information please, follow the link: http://www.travelandescape.ca/2014/02/10-unbelievable-pools-around-world/.

• Ride of Greek poetry on the London Underground

As an honour to the EU Greek Presidency six poems by Greek, British and Irish poets will be displayed from February until April in various London train carriages.  The initiative of the Greek Embassy in london is part of the activities for the Greek EU Presidency, in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture. For more information please follow the link: http://news.gtp.gr/2014/02/24/greek-poems-london-underground/

• 5 Greek islands in Tripadvisor’s Best Islands in Europe Travellers’ Choice Awards

Naxos, Milos, Kefalonia, Santorini and Paros are the 5 Greek islands featured in the top 10 European islands list selected by Tripadvisor, based on the opinions of visitors. Naxos not only was awarded the second place on this list but also ranked 6th best island in the world in TripAdvisor 2014 Traveller’s Choice Awards.

For more information, please follow the link:
http://news.gtp.gr/2014/02/19/greek-islands-among-europes-best-tripadvisor/

http://news.gtp.gr/2014/02/20/tripadvisor-names-greek-island-naxos-among-best-world/

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For further press information, please contact:

Greek National Tourism Organisation

GNTO UK & Ireland Office

Dimitra Voziki

T: 020 74959310