In an unexpected blast of civic action, the Heraklion City Council nodded through a shiny new communication plan for 2025. Yes, residents, you’re about to see more campaigns, posters, and Facebook updates than ever—so try not to blink. The tourism promotion of Heraklion is back, and it’s bigger, flashier, and more expensive.
- The council’s new plan rolled out with a €397,400 budget, approved by a majority vote (no shockers there).
- The plan covers everything from “sustainable mobility” to circular economy tips and lessons about water management.
- The tourism promotion of Heraklion isn’t just a bullet point; it gets its own entire section—press releases, digital ads, and even… the return of the city’s online radio station. (Did anyone miss it?)
- The move follows the April agreement between Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos, which established the Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO). This group is set to deliver “scientific studies” and “strategic planning.” Who could resist?
- Heraklion is one of 13 “lucky” destinations tapped for national tourism campaigns, batting among 20 Greek cities in total.
- As Deputy Mayor for Finance and Tourism Giorgos Agrimanakis said (without once rolling his eyes, apparently): “Our goal is to inform and motivate residents, help them get involved, and boost every action’s effectiveness.”
- Or, as the mayor himself put it, Heraklion should become a “UNESCO World Gastronomy City, open 365 days a year.” Ambitious? Maybe. Tasty? Definitely.
Read the official Facebook post for more drama.
Events, Budgets, and the Allure of PowerPoints
The communication scheme looks like a festival of buzzwords and committees. Just try to keep up.
- Tourism promotion of Heraklion: Ad campaigns on radio, print, and social media; digital engagement; press trips and “technical support,” whatever that means.
- Endless awareness events: Equal rights, animal welfare, the circular economy, and even more topics your cousin will fake interest in.
- Revamp “Heraklion Gastronomy” branding—maybe so locals can finally agree on where to eat.
- Online youth support, volunteer recruitment, adoption drives for the local dog shelter, and life-long learning sessions for those who never graduated from city council pitches.
- The plan also includes the “European Mobility Week,” because nothing says “holiday” like a roundtable on sustainable transport.
- Updating the city’s shiny new tourism portal—yes, someone still maintains it.
- All initiatives will run through the Tourism Committee, which already includes suggestions from hotel owners, guides, student groups, and anyone with an opinion and a coffee cup.
So why all the excitement? Heraklion enjoys its spot in the Ministry’s National Tourism Strategy, lazy-susanning into view with 12 other cities eyeing European Union funds and future Instagram bragging rights. Officials claim the new DMMO “will act as a growth engine by linking tourism with the agri-food sector, arts, and tech, and help the city take advantage of financing opportunities from EU programs and private investors.”
Annoyed yet? Just wait — this strategy still needs green lights from EOT and the General Secretariat for Communication and Information. Until then, let the citizens of Heraklion bask in the glory of another report, another committee, and maybe, just maybe, improved street signs for lost tourists.
