Greece has revealed immediate plans to boost tourism to Rhodes following the recent wildfires with fams and press trips due to take place this month (August) alongside advertising campaigns.
The planned activity came as a state of emergency in Rhodes, declared by the Greek authorities on July 26, was lifted and flights by tour operators from the UK resumed offering holidays to all but some fire-hit resorts in the southeast of the island.
The Greek government is working with tourism bodies and local authorities on a wider plan to restore travel and support local residents and businesses on the island after active fires were extinguished and the state of operational emergency was lifted.
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As part of this, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is spearheading an ad hoc marketing and communication plan to revive interest in Rhodes, with trips for media and travel professionals planned to showcase the island and its tourism attractions in order to spread positive messages worldwide. Exact details of trips to run from the UK have yet to be released.
The tourist board also plans to restart advertising campaigns that were paused due to the fires with major tour operators and airlines to attract tourists back to the island.
Further promotional materials will be produced for co-advertising campaigns in 18 countries to highlight what the destination has to offer and showcase the recovery progress while the tourist board will also work closely with local stakeholders such as Marketing Greece, the Region of the Aegean Sea and Municipality of Rhodes to deliver the right messages on the island’s revival.
As well as immediate promotional efforts, a long-term plan is being developed to ensure the sustainable growth and prosperity of the tourism sector. This will include conservation efforts, infrastructure developments and community engagement to protect the future of tourism to the island.
The government’s broader campaign includes direct support for residents and businesses affected by the fires through state aid; restoration of road networks and public beaches and helping businesses to reopen quickly to welcome visitors again by claiming damages through compensation.