Eastern Macedonia and Thrace wraps Balkan tourism roadshow ahead of Berlin Expo

The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) has concluded an intensive outreach campaign across the Balkans, reporting strong business engagement and strategic tourism partnerships ahead of its next major stop in Berlin.

Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Panagiotis Archontis expressed satisfaction with the results of the 2026 extroversion campaign, describing it as the first major milestone in the region’s broader tourism promotion strategy.

Three Major Balkan Tourism Fairs in 15 Days

The regional delegation returned from Belgrade on Clean Monday after participating in the International Tourism Fair in the Serbian capital, marking the third major exhibition in just over two weeks.

The campaign included:

• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Bucharest, Romania
• Belgrade, Serbia

According to regional officials, Balkan markets remain a strategic pillar for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as visitors from neighboring countries consistently support the destination, particularly during the summer season.

Authorities stressed that the region’s presence at these exhibitions is not only aimed at expanding into new markets but also serves as a gesture of reciprocity toward thousands of repeat visitors from the Balkans.

Strong B2B Performance and Industry Engagement

High visitor traffic was recorded at the EMT exhibition stands, with thousands of attendees engaging daily. Particular emphasis was placed on business-to-business (B2B) meetings, resulting in a substantial number of professional contacts:

• Sofia: 58 B2B meetings
• Belgrade: 38 B2B meetings
• Bucharest: 25 B2B meetings

Participating in the meetings were tourism entrepreneurs accompanying the regional mission, chamber of commerce representatives, and institutional tourism stakeholders.

Focus on Air Connectivity in Romania

In Romania, Archontis held targeted discussions with travel agencies collaborating with local airlines. Talks centered on renewing existing flight routes and exploring new air connections to enhance accessibility to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Improved connectivity is viewed as a key driver for sustainable tourism growth and diversification of inbound markets.

Next Stop: Berlin International Tourism Fair

The region is now preparing for the International Tourism Fair in Berlin, scheduled for March 3–5, where officials expect to hold a new round of strategic meetings aimed at further strengthening tourism development.

“The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace continues to implement its strategic planning with consistency and dedication,” Archontis stated, concluding with the campaign’s central message: “Tourism Everywhere, Value for All.”

Regional authorities reaffirmed their commitment to year-round promotion efforts, positioning Eastern Macedonia and Thrace as a competitive and accessible destination within Southeast Europe.