Pieria and Romanian Greeks forge historic tourism pact

Friday, February 23, 2024

The Pieria Hoteliers Association (PHA) and the Union of Romanian Greeks have embarked on a strategic partnership to enhance the appeal of Pieria as a travel destination and fortify the connection with the Greek diaspora. This collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by PHA’s President, Iraklis Tsitlakidis, and the President of the Union of Greeks of Romania, Dragos-Gabriel Zisopol, at the sidelines of the TTR Romanian Tourism Fair 2024 in Bucharest.

Tsitlakidis shared with TVR1, a local television station, the MoU’s objective to deepen the relationship between Pieria and the Greek community in Romania, thereby also bolstering the bond between Romania and Greece. This partnership was announced amidst the TTR event, providing an excellent platform for Pieria’s hoteliers to showcase the region’s tourism offerings.

A critical issue addressed during the fair was the upcoming construction of the Thessaloniki Flyover, anticipated to cause significant traffic delays and disruptions. To mitigate this, discussions with Romanian tourism stakeholders led to the proposition of using Nea Anchialos Airport as an alternative route for tourists.

Tsitlakidis emphasized the airport’s strategic advantages, including its proximity, easy access via the national highway, and capacity to accommodate additional flights, highlighting the importance of leveraging the airport to ensure continuous tourist flow to the region during the flyover construction, expected to last four to five years.

The Romanian Tourism Fair, organized by Romexpo at the Bucharest Exhibition Center, took place from February 15-18. It offered a dynamic platform for Romanian and international companies to present their tourism products and services, fostering a conducive environment for networking and business interactions.

This new partnership between the PHA and the Union of Romanian Greeks, symbolized through the MoU, is set to significantly impact global and local tourism by promoting Pieria as a prime destination. By connecting with the Greek diaspora in Romania, the initiative not only aims to attract more visitors to Pieria but also to strengthen cultural and economic ties between Romania and Greece.

The strategic use of Nea Anchialos Airport as an alternative during infrastructure developments further demonstrates a proactive approach to tourism management, ensuring that the region remains accessible and attractive to tourists, thereby contributing to its long-term growth and sustainability in the tourism sector.

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