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Intro
At the World Travel Awards 2024 ceremony held in Berlin, the capital of Greece—Athens—was announced as the best destination for a holiday in Europe, highlighting its leading position on the global tourism map. This year, the top award was accepted by Ioannis Georgizas, the CEO of EATA (the organization responsible for developing and promoting tourism in Athens), whose work and strategy played a key role in achieving this status.
The award is the result of the municipality’s long-term efforts under the “This is Athens” program, aimed at sustainable development and promoting the city as an attractive destination for travelers throughout the year.
Athens’ new record in international arrivals in 2023—exceeding 7 million visitors—reflects strong interest in the city and the success of its tourism strategy. Athens’ participation at one of Europe’s largest travel exhibitions, ITB Berlin, confirmed its active international role and its commitment to continued development and strengthening its position in the tourism industry.
Top highlights
World Travel Awards 2024: Athens named Europe’s best holiday destination.
Award accepted by Ioannis Georgizas, CEO of EATA.
“This is Athens” focuses on sustainability and year-round tourism.
2023 record: 7M+ international arrivals; visibility through ITB Berlin.
A “new era”: heritage meets modern travel trends for a memorable experience.
Key takeaways
World Travel Awards 2024 and EATA’s role
At the World Travel Awards 2024 ceremony held in Berlin, the capital of Greece—Athens—was announced as the best destination for a holiday in Europe, highlighting its leading position on the global tourism map. This year, the top award was accepted by Ioannis Georgizas, the CEO of EATA (the organization responsible for developing and promoting tourism in Athens), whose work and strategy played a key role in achieving this status.
“This is Athens”: sustainable development, year-round appeal
The award is the result of the municipality’s long-term efforts under the “This is Athens” program, aimed at sustainable development and promoting the city as an attractive destination for travelers throughout the year.
2023 record and international presence
Athens’ new record in international arrivals in 2023—exceeding 7 million visitors—reflects strong interest in the city and the success of its tourism strategy. Athens’ participation at one of Europe’s largest travel exhibitions, ITB Berlin, confirmed its active international role and its commitment to continued development and strengthening its position in the tourism industry.
A new era: heritage + modern trends
Being recognized as Europe’s best holiday destination at the World Travel Awards not only celebrates Athens’ achievements over previous years, but also signals a new era for the city—where cultural heritage meets modern travel trends, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. Learn more about the keys to Athens’ success and its strategy on the path to global tourism leadership.
Source: rua.gr
What to do
Plan Athens as a year-round getaway: the article emphasizes a strategy built to attract visitors throughout the year.
Mix iconic heritage with contemporary city life—the text highlights this blend as the core of Athens’ “new era”.
Follow major travel events and initiatives: Athens’ presence at ITB Berlin reflects how actively the city engages internationally.
1-day itinerary
Morning: start with Athens’ cultural heritage—the foundation of its global appeal as a destination.
Midday: shift to modern neighborhoods and contemporary experiences aligned with today’s travel trends.
Evening: wrap up with a relaxed stroll and city atmosphere—the “unforgettable experience” the article points to.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: focus on the city’s cultural heritage—highlighted as a major reason for Athens’ recognition.
Day 2: explore the modern side of Athens, reflecting the year-round tourism strategy mentioned in the article.
Option: if you like the “industry angle”, track Athens’ presence at major events like ITB Berlin, as noted in the text.
How to get there
This news piece does not include specific flight options or routes; it focuses on the award, the strategy, and Athens’ growing international appeal.
When planning travel, keep the key idea from the article in mind: Athens is promoted as an attractive destination throughout the year.
FAQ: Athens and its tourism success
Why was Athens named Europe’s best holiday destination?
The article highlights long-term strategy, promotion, and sustainable development efforts behind Athens’ recognition.
Who is Ioannis Georgizas?
He is the CEO of EATA and accepted the top award on behalf of Athens.
What is EATA?
In the text, EATA is described as the organization responsible for developing and promoting Athens tourism.
Where did the World Travel Awards 2024 ceremony take place?
In Berlin.
What is the “This is Athens” program?
It is a municipal program focused on sustainable development and promoting Athens as a year-round destination.
What tourism record did Athens reach in 2023?
The article mentions more than 7 million international arrivals in 2023.
Why is ITB Berlin important in this story?
It underlines Athens’ active international presence and its ambition to strengthen its position in tourism.
Is Athens promoted as a seasonal or year-round destination?
Year-round—the article explicitly references efforts to keep Athens attractive throughout the entire year.
What makes Athens’ visitor experience “unique”, according to the article?
The text emphasizes the combination of cultural heritage and modern travel trends.
Where can I read more about Greece on Admiral.Travel?
Here: Greece.
What is the original source cited?
The article cites rua.gr as the source.
What other related reads are linked on Admiral.Travel?
The page recommends articles about London, cities where tourists outnumber locals by 30x, and passport control automation in Bali.
