Thousands of French travellers and tourism enthusiasts attended the international Salon Mondial du Tourisme in Paris, seeking ideas for their next holidays. Greece captured significant attention once again, with questions and discussions flowing about destinations from the beaches of Mykonos and Halkidiki to the mountains of Pelion and Mount Olympus in Pieria.
The exhibition, held from 12 to 15 March at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, ranks among France’s most important travel events. It directly targets travellers, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year eager for holiday inspiration.
Greece showcased a diverse presence with participation from regions, municipalities, and tourism organisations. Exhibitors highlighted the variety of experiences Greece offers, from island escapes to mountainous retreats and specialised tourism activities.
Panagiotis Sakellaropoulos, Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Development of Western Greece, emphasised that the region’s participation promoted international outreach. He said the goal was to raise awareness of Western Greece in the French market and attract visitors seeking authentic culture, nature, gastronomy, and experiences. He also highlighted the strategic value of direct flights from Paris via Araxos Airport. With the central message, “Olympian Land – Discover the Authentic Greece,” Western Greece positioned itself as a destination offering authentic experiences connected to global heritage and hospitality.
From Crete, Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Kyriakos Kotsoglou reported that approximately 485,000 French visitors arrived on the island in 2025. He noted that the French market values nature, gastronomy, wine tourism, and respects Minoan civilisation, now recognised as UNESCO world heritage. Crete continued to promote its natural diversity, safety, and sustainable tourism, aspects highly appreciated by French visitors.
Halkidiki also made a strong impression. Giorgos Brountzas, Director of the Halkidiki Tourism Organisation, explained that the region aimed to strengthen its visibility in the French market. He highlighted Halkidiki’s unique landscapes, gastronomy, and authentic experiences, alongside the importance of direct flights between Paris and Thessaloniki.
Evangelia Xyptera, a hotelier and entrepreneur from Pieria, stressed the need to enhance the region’s presence in France. She highlighted Pieria as a destination combining mountain and sea, anchored by Mount Olympus, and capable of attracting visitors seeking genuine Greek experiences.
In Mykonos, Deputy Mayor Dimitris Koutsoukos noted that French interest in the island remained strong. Many visitors requested information about beaches and local experiences. Despite its reputation as a premium destination, Mykonos offers options for different budgets. The municipal authority prioritises infrastructure improvements to enhance visitor experiences.
Pelion featured prominently, with Deputy Mayor of South Pelion Apostolos Kafetzis explaining that the area, together with Eastern Pelion and Volos, promotes a complete tourism product combining nature, culture, sports, and gastronomy. He noted growing visitor numbers from Europe, the Balkans, and Asia, with some reports indicating tourism has tripled in recent years. Kafetzis also mentioned that infrastructure recovery from recent natural disasters continues and that accessibility improves through Nea Anchialos Airport.
The Ionian Islands Region also participated actively. Beyond presenting the islands, it launched a targeted promotion in Paris, with city taxis displaying striking images from Corfu, Zakynthos, Paxos, Lefkada, Meganisi, Kefalonia, and Ithaca, bringing the essence of the Ionian to the streets of the French capital.
