The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is stepping up the promotion of Greek destinations in Scandinavian markets and showcasing specialist forms of tourism and authentic travel experiences through targeted familiarisation trips held in September in the Peloponnese, Lesvos and Chios.
From 15 to 22 September 2026, four sales executives from FDM Travel, one of Denmark’s largest travel companies, took part in a multi-day familiarisation trip to the Peloponnese. It was organised with the support of the GNTO’s Scandinavian office, in cooperation with the Region of the Peloponnese and Visit Peloponnese. The aim was to give the executives first-hand knowledge of the region’s tourism offering and showcase the Peloponnese’s potential as a destination for self-drive travel and road trips, which are particularly popular in this market.
FDM Travel has been active in the travel market for more than 50 years, with a network of six travel agencies in major Danish cities and a team of 55 professionally trained staff. It is an independent commercial arm of the Federation of Danish Motorists (FDM). The programme was designed as a comprehensive road trip and included Loutraki, Nafplio, Mycenae, Argos, Gythio, Mani, Kalamata, Pylos and Messene.
Participants had the opportunity to discover destinations, accommodation and local tourism businesses, as well as experience the region’s culture, gastronomy and natural environment.
The Peloponnese’s varied landscape, the relatively short distances between its different destinations and the opportunity to combine cultural and culinary experiences with nature and authentic local activities create significant potential for further growth in self-drive and road-trip tourism from Northern European markets.
From 21 to 26 September 2026, Lesvos and Chios hosted Norwegian journalist Yelena Eriksen, editor-in-chief and founder of the travel journalism platform Travelletters, on a familiarisation trip organised by the Region of the North Aegean in cooperation with the GNTO’s Scandinavian overseas office.
The programme aims to inform the journalist and give her direct exposure to the authentic character of the two islands, with a focus on their cultural and architectural heritage, gastronomy, and local hospitality and leisure experiences. These are the themes covered by Travelletters, whose content is aimed primarily at the Norwegian market, and especially adult travellers, couples and women aged over 45 with an interest in culture, history, gastronomy, authentic local culture and the philosophy of “slow travel”.
Through these initiatives, the GNTO aims to strengthen cooperation with key professionals in the Scandinavian travel industry and promote Greek destinations that match the travel interests of audiences of specialist media in Northern European markets.
SOURCE: AMNA