Athens receives two awards at the World Travel Awards 2022

Athens won two significant awards at the World Travel Awards 2022, showing the strength of the Greek capital in the global tourism market. 

Athens was crowned Europe's Leading Cultural City Destination 2022 and This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau won Europe's Leading City Tourist Board 2022. The awards were announced at the Europe Gala Ceremony 2022 that took place in Mallorca, Spain on October 1, 2022. 

The World Travel Awards are regarded as the Oscars of tourism, serving to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the industry. Votes come from professionals working in the travel and tourism sector, as well as from travelers themselves. This year’s voting process hit a new record with 2.3 million votes cast online. 

The award naming Athens as Europe's Leading City Tourist Board 2022 is a testament to the strategy of the City of Athens for the management and promotion of the city as a visitor destination. This holistic approach is paying dividends by increasing the number of visitors arriving in Athens each year. The award is also a sign of the city’s upward course in the global meetings industry. Athens ranked 6th in Europe and 8th in the world for international association meeting according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Annual Report 2021. 

“Congratulations are in order for the team at the Athens Development & Destination Management Agency for these important awards that make us feel proud of our city. Through targeted actions and a comprehensive strategy, the City of Athens continues to showcase Athens in the international tourism market and to highlight the competitive advantages of the destination, developing quality tourism and reinforcing the local economy. Today, Athens offers a remarkable cultural heritage experience to its visitors, as well as upgraded tourism infrastructure and services, ideal conditions for year-round holidays and unique authentic experiences,” stated the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis. 

The CEO of Athens Development & Destination Management Agency, Epaminondas Mousios accepted the awards on behalf of Athens during the Gala Ceremony in Mallorca, noting “The City of Athens is working hard to make Athens an ideal destination both for locals and visitors. This recognition confirms that we have the right strategy for a sustainable, resilient and accessible city and highlights the effectiveness with which This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau can manage and promote the tourism product of Athens.”