Halkidiki stepped up its international tourism push with a strong presence at the Salon Mondial du Tourisme in Paris, one of Europe's leading travel fairs, aiming to deepen its footprint in the French market.
According to organisers, the northern Greek destination used the platform to showcase its unique natural landscapes, rich gastronomy and authentic experiences, while also strengthening ties with tourism professionals and potential partners.
The participation, led by the Halkidiki Tourism Organisation, forms part of a broader strategy to boost visibility and attract more French visitors in the coming seasons. France is increasingly seen as a high-potential market, with traveller preferences closely aligned to what Halkidiki offers: culture, nature, and food-led experiences.
Direct flights between Paris and Thessaloniki, operated by Aegean Airlines, Transavia and Ryanair, have made the region significantly easier to reach, reinforcing its appeal among French tourists. Recent data from Thessaloniki's "Makedonia" Airport underline this upward trend, with arrivals from France rising from 94,017 in 2024 to 107,894 in 2025. Local tourism stakeholders target growth rates of over 25% in the coming years, building on what they describe as an already robust market dynamic.
The 2026 edition of the Paris exhibition hosted around 203 exhibitors and attracted 75,000 visitors, with 88% already planning future trips and 84% reporting high satisfaction. Meanwhile, 77% of exhibitors gave a positive assessment of the business environment, confirming the fair's role as a platform for forging partnerships.
