30 September 2025

The Region of Crete, within the framework of the 2025 Tourism Promotion Program, participated in the International Tourism Exhibition International & French Travel Market – TOP Resa, which took place from 23 to 25 September in Paris. The participation is part of the strategy to strengthen Crete’s presence in the French market, which is the third most important for the island.

TOP Resa is the largest tourism event in France, attracting more than 34,000 professionals and 1,700 exhibitors from 160 countries annually. The exhibition offers fertile ground for strategic partnerships and the promotion of the Cretan tourism product.

According to data from the Bank of Greece, the French market shows strong momentum for 2025, with a significant increase in traveler arrivals to Crete. At the national level, travel receipts from France recorded an increase of approximately 15% in the first seven months of the year, despite a slight decrease in arrivals to the country as a whole. Early indications for 2026 indicate continued strong demand for Crete.

During the exhibition, the delegation of the Region of Crete made contacts with French tour operators, travel agencies and airlines connecting the island with France. The stand was visited by the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, the Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization Andreas Fiorentinos, the new President of the Greek National Tourism Organization Angela Varela, as well as the Ambassador of Greece in Paris Antonis Alexandrides and embassy officials.

The Region’s presence is part of the strategy for 365-day tourism, with the aim of extending the season and spreading visitors to more areas of Crete.

The Region was represented by the Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, the Lassithi Tourism Advisor Michalis Klontzas, the Education and Lifelong Learning Advisor Eleni Maraki Beladaki, the Head of the Tourism Directorate Nikos Alexakis and the Head of the Tourism Department of the Lassithi Regional Government Maria Lavdaki.

Mr. Michalis Klontzas stressed:

“In every international exhibition, our goal is to highlight Crete as a leading global destination. The French market is of particular interest to us and the forecasts for 2026 are excellent.”

For his part, Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou noted:

“With an eye on 2026, the Region of Crete is strengthening its presence in the French market, which is already approaching 500,000 arrivals in 2025. The French appreciate the diversity, nature and culture of Crete and promise another year of growth.”