57% Increase in International Trade Visitors from 41 Countries
The 39th International Tourism & Hotel Equipment Exhibition, Philoxenia-Hotelia, showcased its strong international focus this year, attracting significant players from abroad alongside the domestic tourism sector. International trade visitors from 41 countries increased by 57% compared to last year. Additionally, the number of meetings between hosted buyers and exhibitors far exceeded 4,000.
Held from November 14 to 16 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center, Greece, Philoxenia-Hotelia featured 342 exhibitors from Greece and 25 foreign countries, covering 12,000 sq.m. across four pavilions. International participation included countries such as Armenia, Luxembourg, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Kosovo, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Albania, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Moldova, Cuba, and Indian Ocean nations (22 companies from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles). Notably, Moldova, Cuba, and Indian Ocean countries participated for the first time.
The exhibition welcomed over 140 full-hosted buyers from 36 countries, alongside two business delegations of 80 participants from North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Beyond trade visitors, high-ranking officials from foreign tourism organizations also attended, including representatives from Moldova, Serbia, Albania, Cuba, and Jordan, as well as a large delegation from Kosovo.
The Municipality of Didymoteicho, the Honored Destination of this year’s exhibition, captured visitors’ interest by showcasing its cultural, historical, and culinary richness.
For the first time, the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (HOCRED) participated in Philoxenia-Hotelia as a strategic partner, introducing emerging cultural destinations and highlighting the close connection between culture and tourism. This theme inspired the exhibition’s conference, titled “Experience. Culture. Everywhere. – Connecting the Dots”, which was co-organized by HOCRED and TIF-HELEXPO and drew a large audience.
Philoxenia-Hotelia also attracted individual visitors, offering them the opportunity to explore a wide range of vacation options and participate in raffles featuring valuable prizes donated by tourism and hospitality businesses.
Key Sponsors and Partners
The conference’s hosting sponsor was Fraport, while TAXIWAY served as the “Safe Transportation Partner.” The Thessaloniki Tourism Organization sponsored city tours for hosted buyers, and the International Hellenic University supported the B2B meeting program with volunteers. Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.) was the exhibition’s strategic partner. Philoxenia-Hotelia was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace Sector), Central Macedonia Region, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO), and Federation of Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies (FEDHATTA).
A Sustainable Event
Philoxenia-Hotelia was a Zero Waste exhibition, continuing its commitment to sustainability.
