"Tourism Strategy 2025: Rhodope at the Heart of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace’s New Vision"
The event organized by the administration of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) in Komotini, titled "TOURISM LIVE | Strategic Planning & Real-Time Dialogue – A Key Meeting of Strategy, Networking and Cooperation", marked the beginning of dialogue and partnerships aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and identity of the region as a tourist destination.
“The year 2025 is one of strategic planning for the future,” emphasized Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis, addressing institutional bodies and tourism representatives. He noted, “On this journey, we want you by our side as fellow travelers, partners and supporters.”
Topsidis presented the main pillars of the new tourism policy of the Region, along with modern methods of destination development and management, introducing a new model of participation, dialogue and tourism governance.
He also highlighted a broad program of projects exceeding €150 million, funded through various tools, as well as €85 million in actions under the Regional Operational Program 2021–2027, stating that "effective tourism planning recognizes the unique characteristics of each area and builds on local strengths. Our goal is to create thematic tourism reference points in every regional unit with a strong identity to achieve true decentralization of tourism, both geographically and seasonally.”
Strategic Plan and Sustainable Tourism Development
Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism, Panagiotis Arhontis, underlined that “collaboration between institutions, professionals and the local community creates the foundations for dynamic, outward-looking and sustainable tourism.” He stated that TOURISM LIVE becomes the mechanism that connects strategy with participation. According to Mr. Arhontis, 2025 is the design year for a three-year plan based on the following pillars:
Strategic Marketing of the Tourism Product
Unified Destination Identity and Branding
New ESPA Tourism Promotion Program 2025–2027
Creation of a Destination Management and Promotion Organization
Planning for the Regional Unit of Rhodope
Road tourism: The conditions shaped in Rhodope by the operation of the Greece–Bulgaria vertical axis and the upcoming full accession of Bulgaria to the Schengen zone have opened up new prospects for tourism development.
Coastal development is a top priority, with the improvement of connectivity infrastructure and the promotion of underutilized but promising coastal locations.
The coastal road from Maroneia to Dikella, currently under construction and set for completion in 2026, will connect the Evros and Rhodope coastal fronts. The regional authority’s efforts aim to unify the Rhodope coastline through infrastructure upgrades.
In Maroneia, the region’s rich cultural heritage, including major archaeological findings like the Ancient Theatre, plays a central role in tourism strategy.
Through the Integrated Spatial Investment (ISI) for the “Mountain Zone of Rhodope and Nestos River,” there are plans to develop Mount Papikio, an area of exceptional significance, classified as a protected archaeological site and a category G2 – alternative tourism area – as it lies on the European Trail E6.
Rhodope’s diverse communities and rich history offer a unique gallery of traditions, further supported by initiatives such as the publication of a tourism photo album.
The Komotini Concert Hall is set to begin operations in the coming months, with the goal of playing a dynamic role in the region’s cultural and tourism landscape.
Sports tourism is also being promoted through running events organized in collaboration with the university and athletic organizations.
Even niche areas like military heritage tourism are being considered, with sites such as the Nymfaia Fort offering unique historical interest.
Source:ERT
