The 4th Bike Friendly Forum will be held within the framework of the parallel events of the 39th INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR PHILOXENIA 2024, on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the “Nikolaos Germanos” Conference Center of the Thessaloniki International Fair (hall B’) with arrival time at 10:30 a.m. and start time at 11 a.m.

PROGRAM

10:30 – 11:00 Arrival

11:00 – 11:30 Greetings

• Association of Greek Tourist and Travel Agencies, President Mr. Nikos Kelaiditis
• Thessalonica Hoteliers Association, member of the B.O. of the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Eleni Papia

Presentation: Gentle mobility, cycling tourism and the Bike Friendly label.
NatTour, General Manager Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou

11:30 – 12:15 1st Section: Cycling Cities of Greece – Bike Friendly Destinations

• Discussion: Presentation of Greek Cycling Destinations

1. Municipality of Alexandroupolis, Deputy Mayor for Tourism of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis Mr. Petros Kyriakides: Cultivating the Cycling Mindset in Alexandroupolis: Challenges and Prospects in a Bike-Friendly City.
2. Municipality of Skiathos, Mayor Mr. Thodoris Tzoumas: Cultural, hiking and cycling routes in Skiathos.
3. Municipality of Chios, Deputy Mayor for Tourism of the Municipality of Chios Mr. Giorgos Christakis: Chios: An island with sports cycling.
4. Pieria – Pierian Organization for Local Development and Promotion (POTAP), POTAP Director Mr. Vasilis Dimou: Cycling routes on the paths of the Olympian gods.
5. Municipality of Edessa, Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise of Edessa Mr. Evangelos Kyriakou: Bike Friendly Destination: A goal on many levels.
6. Municipality of Aristotle, Tourism Marketing Consultant of the Municipality of Aristotle Ms. Maria Pappa: ZORBA THE GREEK project – THE TREKKING & BIKING

12:15-13:00 2nd Section: Hotels, Wineries and Bicycle

• Presentation: Ethical cycling routes – Ethic up Label.
  Common Future, Co-Founder and Administrator, Member of the Ethic up Evaluation Committee, Hotel Manager Sali Boutique Hotel – Alexandroupoli, Ms. Chrysa Argyrakaki
• Discussion: Applied practices in Hotels and Visitor Sites (Wineries etc.)

1. Quattro Suites – Monemvasia, General Manager Ms. Giota Limnaiou: Cycling and sports tourism in historic Monemvasia: Cycling and holding a triathlon as a lifestyle and options for upgrading hospitality.
2. Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel – Astypalaia, Guest Relations & Operations Assistant, Mr. Gabriel Spyrou: Sustainable Tourism and Smart Mobility in Astypalaia by Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel.
3. Ananti Resort & Spa – Trikala, Hotel General Manager, Mr. Alexandros Kyriakis: Authentic hospitality experience in a unique destination: The Hotel as a Gateway to Discovery.
4. Kir-Yianni Estate – Naoussa, Hospitality Manager, Ms. Elpida Palamida: Green and Experiential Wine Tourism.

13:00-13:45 3rd Section: Tourist Offices and Cycling Companies

• Discussion: Applied service practices by cycling companies and tourist offices:

1. BikeIT – Thessaloniki, Customer Service – Marketing Ms. Vicky Skyrianidou: Cycling Tourism: How hotels can enhance visitors’ experiences and their revenues.
2. AURELIA e-assist BIKES – Naxos, Founder/CEO Mr. Manos Vassilas: Sustainable tourism and cultural heritage: The electric bicycle as an alternative, ecological means of exploring the culture, gastronomy and traditions of Naxos and the Cyclades.
3. Ticket2Ride – Mytilene, owner of a bicycle shop Mr. Giannoulas Panagiotis: The Vision for cycling tourism in Mytilene.
4. Higher Than Everest – Alexandroupoli, Founder & Legal Representative Mr. George Kazakos: Modern thematic cycling tourism – the supremacy of Slow Traveling.

Forum Coordination: Theodoros Koumelis

 

• 1st Bike Friendly Forum 2022: 1, 2, 3

• 2nd Bike Friendly Forum – Bike Friendly Days in Rethymno: 1, 2, 3, 4

• 3rd Bike Friendly Forum 2023: 1, 2, 3, 4

---