Motaz Othman, ITM..

The 28th PHILOXENIA enjoyed a 43% increase in the number of international trade visitors and 30% increase in the number of international exhibitors from various tourism sectors compared to 2011.  

PHILOXENIA’s re-positioning strategy was launched successfully this year, gaining back its reputation as the most important tourism forum in South-Eastern Europe. 

Trade visitors from Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany Estonia, US, Italy, Great Britain, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Finland, Fyrom, Cyprus, Slovakia, Poland, Netherlands, Switcherland, Thailand, Ukraine and Georgia attended the show. 

The hosted buyer programme of the 28th PHILOXENIA enjoyed guests from India, China, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Brazil, Germany, Canada, US, Israel, Jordan, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Hungary, South Africa, Switzerland, Lithuania, Turkey and Israel, attending more than 1500 pre-scheduled meetings with exhibitors during the corporate days (Thursday & Friday).  

The PHILOXENIA B2B meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers were particularly successful; tourism professionals had the chance to develop new international relations. It is worth mentioning that 25% of the meetings generated have been evaluated by exhibitors as opportunities for effective business development. 

During the open-for-the-public days (Saturday & Sunday) PHILOXENIA attracted 23% more guests than last year. Individual visitors follow the show for private & family holiday planning, investigating and connecting with new destinations.  

Among the numerous successful parallel events of the PHILOXENIA, special reference should be made to the «Religious- Cultural Tourism in Southeast Europe» Conference. Views and experience on the growth perspectives of this tourism sector were presented and exchanged thoroughly. 

The minister of Tourism Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni inaugurating the show stressed the importance of tourism, which can contribute significantly to overturn the economic climate and restore growth during these difficult times Greece and Greek people people are going through. 

The 28th PHILOXENIA was organized by HELEXPO in cooperation with ARTION Conferences & Events.