It is the second time that the Greek capital has won this award
A very important distinction in the field of tourism was won yesterday by Athens, winning the title of the leading European city-break destination (Europe’s Leading City-break Destination), in the organization of the World Travel Awards 2024.
The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday in Berlin, where this week (March 5-7) ITB Berlin, one of the leading tourism exhibitions in Europe, is being organized, in which Athens participates with a special space at the EOT Pavilion.
The award was received at the event by the managing director of the Development and Tourism Promotion Company of the Municipality of Athens (EATA), Ioannis Georgizas, who in his statement emphasized:
“We are proud of this important distinction that places our city on the map of the best city-break destinations in Europe. Athens is a lively and welcoming city, offering every time new reasons for short getaways. It is not only the rich cultural heritage and the sunny days; it is also the museums, the modern cultural venues, the haute gastronomy, the authentic experiences that one can have in its neighbourhoods. At EATA we will continue to work to strengthen quality, sustainable tourism, while creating the conditions that will ensure the quality of life of Athenians”.
The distinction of Athens at the 31st World Travel Awards, comes to seal the long-term strategy and effort of This is Athens of the Municipality of Athens over the last decade for the sustainable tourist development of the city, through its promotion and emergence as a competitive city-break tourist destination , twelve months a year. It is noted that for 2023 Athens recorded a new record in international arrivals, breaking the “barrier” of 7 million visitors.
Athens nominated in six categories
In addition to the award of the top city-break destination in Europe, Athens was nominated in this event in five other categories for corresponding European awards: Top Cultural Destination, Top Meeting and Conference Destination, Top Cruise Destination, Top Convention and Visitors Bureau and Top Sight for the Acropolis.
It is noted that this is the second time that the Greek capital has won this award in this important institution (the first was in 2018), among landmark cities: Amsterdam, Venice, Berlin, Geneva, Dublin, Copenhagen , Lisbon, London, Paris, Porto and Rome, were nominated in the same category, reported APE BEE.
The award adds to the city’s significant accolades achieved at the same event over the past decade. Athens was named the leading Cultural Destination in the world for 2022 and 2023, and respectively in Europe, in the same years. The Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Municipality of Athens won the title of the best Convention and Visitors Bureau in Europe for 2018 and 2022. Finally, the organization has highlighted the Acropolis as a top Tourist Attraction for 2014 and 2018.
