12,000 sq.m. across 4 exhibition pavilions
10% increase in foreign exhibitor space and direct foreign participation
Honored Destination: Municipality of Didymoteicho
The 39th International Tourism and Hotel Equipment Exhibition, Philoxenia-Hotelia, will open its doors on Thursday, November 14, at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center, Greece, running until Saturday, November 16. This year, with a 10% increase in foreign exhibitor space and direct international participation, the exhibition features 342 exhibitors from Greece and 24 other countries, spanning 12,000 sq.m. across 4 pavilions. With the Municipality of Didymoteicho as the Honored Destination, Philoxenia-Hotelia is set to host over 4,000 scheduled meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers.
The international exhibitors come from Armenia, Luxembourg, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Kosovo, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Albania, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Moldova, Cuba, and Indian Ocean countries, including 22 tourism companies from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Notably, Moldova, Cuba, and the Indian Ocean countries are joining the exhibition for the first time.
Over 140 full-hosted buyers from 36 countries are expected, alongside two business delegations from North Macedonia and Bulgaria, totaling around 80 participants. A specialized guest program for cultural tourism has also been launched for international visitors.
The Philoxenia-Hotelia’s Conference, titled “Experience. Culture. Everywhere. – Connecting the Dots”, will delve into the interconnection between Tourism and Culture, focusing on how cultural heritage supports sustainable tourism destinations. The conference will be held on Friday, November 15, in Pavilion 14, organized by the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.), and TIF-HELEXPO, highlighting H.O.C.RE.D.’s “Hellenic Heritage” initiative.
This year’s cultural lineup also includes the “Philoxenia & Culture” photography exhibition and competition, presented by the Greek Instagramers Events Social Media & Culture Community, showcasing images that capture the essence of Greece’s culture.
Philoxenia-Hotelia’s exhibitors and supporters include the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization (NTO), the Ministry of Culture, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the Hellenic Hotels Federation (HHF), Federation of Hellenic Associations of Travel & Tourist Agencies (FEDHATTA), as well as regions, municipalities, travel destinations, hotels, airlines, shipping companies, travel agencies, and companies in construction, technology, furniture, and renovation.
The exhibition’s rich parallel program includes a seminar titled “Architectural Narratives,” organized by Inn Hotel & Architecture on Saturday, November 16, in Pavilion 12. Throughout the three days of Philoxenia-Hotelia, various parallel events from public and private tourism entities, regional representatives, municipalities, and businesses will take place.
Additionally, the “Thessaloniki Living Experience” initiative will introduce nine hotels in Thessaloniki where guests can enjoy unique experiences in the city, even if they are not staying at these hotels.
Among the parallel events, there will also be a concert dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the restoration of democracy and the invasion of Cyprus by the Mikis Theodorakis Children’s and Youth Orchestra, Municipality of Ampelokipi-Menemeni.
The Thessaloniki #JobFestival 2024 will also be hosted at the “I. Vellidis” Congress Center on November 15 and 16, organized by skywalker.gr, with free admission for visitors.
Philoxenia-Hotelia will be open exclusively for trade visitors on November 14, while on November 15 and 16, it welcomes all visitors interested in exploring their next travel destinations and even winning trips or hotel stays in one of the event’s raffles, featuring numerous prizes provided by tourism and hospitality businesses.
Exhibition Hours:
Thursday: 11:00 – 19:00
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 – 19:00
Press Conference Highlights
Philoxenia-Hotelia is a remarkably outward-looking exhibition, according to TIF-HELEXPO President Mr. Tasos Tzikas, who emphasized its international caliber.
As the Honored Destination, Didymoteicho plans to use Philoxenia-Hotelia as a platform to highlight its history and culture. Mayor Romylos Hatziyiannoglou expressed the municipality’s ambition to change perceptions, stating, “We are not the end of Greece but its beginning.”
Central Macedonia’s Deputy Governor of Tourism, Ms. Vicky Hatzivasiliou, described Philoxenia-Hotelia as a celebration of tourism and the city of Thessaloniki, attracting business interest from the industry. Ms. Nicoletta Divari-Valakou, President of the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.), discussed the successful collaboration with HELEXPO to explore the symbiotic relationship between tourism and culture.
TIF-HELEXPO CEO Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis highlighted the significance of this year’s exhibition as the most international event following the September Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). Thessaloniki Hotels Association President Andreas Mandrinos praised the city’s improvement efforts in tourism and cleanliness.
Dr. Prodromos Monastriridis, President of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB), noted that Philoxenia-Hotelia strengthens Thessaloniki’s presence in conference tourism. General Director of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr. Alexis Tsaxirlis, emphasized the resilience and longevity of Philoxenia, which has remained Greece’s premier tourism exhibition for 40 years.
The Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.), board member Ms. Alexandra Charitatou discussed H.O.C.RE.D.’s, initiatives at Philoxenia-Hotelia.
Sponsors and Strategic Partners
Fraport is the Hosting Sponsor of the Philoxenia-Hotelia Conference, TAXIWAY is the “Safe Transportation & Travel Partner,” and the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization sponsors city tours for hosted buyers. International Hellenic University supports the B2B program with volunteers. Strategic Partner, Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.) organizes the exhibition under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, Sector of Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia Region, Greek National Tourism Organization (NTO), 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).
Philoxenia-Hotelia is a Zero Waste exhibition.