Athens Secures Two Major European Honours at the World Travel Awards 2026

​Athens continues to strengthen its position on the global tourism map, securing two major European accolades at the World Travel Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious awards programmes in the global travel industry.

The Greek capital was named Europe’s Leading City Break Destination 2026, while the This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official convention and visitors bureau of the City of Athens, received the award for Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board 2026.

The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, stated: “Athens continues to earn the trust and recognition of the international travel community. These two new European distinctions are a significant reward for our city and for everyone who works daily to highlight its unique identity. We want this momentum to translate into more and better jobs, support for local businesses, and tangible benefits for every neighbourhood. Athens belongs first and foremost to its residents. And we must never forget this as its international appeal grows.”

The two awards were presented on Saturday, 17 October, during the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony held in Kotor, Montenegro. The second distinction carries special significance, as the This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau has received this accolade for the second consecutive year. Notably, this year, the Greek capital stood out among leading European destinations such as London, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon, and Rome.

Elissaios Sarmas, CEO of Develop Athens, emphasised: “The double award for Athens is an important recognition of the systematic effort we are making to enhance the city’s international presence. Through targeted promotional initiatives and international partnerships, we are working to strengthen Athens’ standing in both leisure and business tourism, with an unwavering focus on quality and sustainable development.”

Athens Among Europe’s Top Destinations

These latest honours add to a series of major international recognitions Athens has achieved in recent years. In December 2025, the Greek capital was named World’s Leading Cultural City Destination and World’s Leading City Break Destination at the World Travel Awards 2025.

Through This is Athens, the city’s official tourism brand, and the This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, Develop Athens implements international outreach initiatives, builds global partnerships, and strengthens the presence of the Greek capital across key travel markets.

Contributing significantly to these efforts are initiatives such as This is Athens – Agora, the annual B2B travel trade event connecting Athens with international tourism professionals, alongside ongoing efforts to attract high-profile international conferences, business meetings, and events.

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