08/12/2025
Two Global Distinctions for Athens at the World Travel Awards
Athens Named World’s Leading Cultural City Destination and World’s Leading City Break Destination for 2025
Athens has secured two major distinctions at the World Travel Awards 2025, being named World’s Leading Cultural City Destination and, for the first time, World’s Leading City Break Destination. The awards were received in Manama, Bahrain, by Develop Athens CEO Ioannis Georgizas and the This is Athens – Convention and Visitors Bureau team.
“These distinctions reflect the collective effort of the City of Athens, Develop Athens S.A., and all stakeholders enhancing Athens’ image and experience,” said Mayor Haris Doukas, emphasising the city’s commitment to culture, extroversion, and sustainable development.
“These awards confirm the strategy we are implementing to promote Athens’ contemporary, creative, and sustainable identity internationally,” added Ioannis Georgizas, highlighting the development agency’s work with tourism professionals to forge partnerships, deliver targeted promotional campaigns, and strengthen international visibility.
The ceremony provided a valuable platform for high-level networking and the strengthening of international ties. Our delegation held discussions with H.E. Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism of Bahrain, regarding tourism development strategies and exchanged insights with the Madrid Convention Bureau, who were also awarded during the evening, strengthening collaboration between Southern Europe’s leading capitals.
Through initiatives such as the This is Athens City Festival, featuring over 300 cultural events each May, and the This is Athens – Agora B2B tourism meeting, which connects local businesses with global operators, Athens enhances both its global profile and the business prospects of local tourism stakeholders.
Following its recent honours as Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination and Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board at the same Awards, Athens continues its trajectory as a destination for culture, experiences, and high-level hospitality, ensuring local tourism professionals remain central to the city’s international success.
