The 5th Bike Friendly Forum will be held within the framework of the parallel events of the 40th INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR PHILOXENIA 2025, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 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 for the 5th Bike Friendly Forum (Philoxenia 2025)
The 5th Bike Friendly Forum will be held within the framework of the parallel events of the 40th INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR PHILOXENIA 2025, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 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.
PROGRAMME
10:30 – 11:00 Registration
11:00 – 11:30 Opening remarks
▪ Hellenic Tourism Organization, President, Ms. Angela Varela
▪ Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Board Member, Ms. Eleni Papia
Presentation: Soft mobility, cycle tourism and the Bike Friendly label
NatTour, General Manager, Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou
11:30 – 12:30 Session 1: Cycling Cities of Greece – Bike Friendly Destinations
Panel discussion: Presentation of Greek cycling destinations
- Municipality of Skiathos, Mayor, Mr. Thodoris Tzoumas
- Municipality of Chios, Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Mr. Giorgos Christakis: Cycling as a growth lever for sports tourism, sustainable development, and micromobility
- Municipality of Alexandroupolis, Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Mr. Petros Kyriakidis: Alexandroupolis: A city that moves by bicycle – A strategy for sustainable tourism development
- Pieria – Pierian Organisation for Local Development and Promotion (P.O.T.A.P.), Mr. Iordanis Papadopoulos, Founder of “TRIMAN” and Sports Events Organiser: Pieria and “Triman”: cycling at the heart of triathlon and the visitor experience
- Municipality of Aristotle, Tourism Marketing Consultant, Ms. Maria Pappa: Bike Friendly and sports events
- Municipality of Rethymno, Cycling Tourism Development Manager – Tourism Department of the Municipality of Rethymno, Ms. Martha Papadomichelaki: Cycling tourism in Rethymno: Experience, sustainability and extension of the tourist season
12:30 – 13:30 Session 2: Hotels, Attractions and Cycling
Panel discussion: Applied best practices in hotels and visitor attractions (e.g., wineries)
- Mitsis Group – Greece, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Manager, Ms. Apollonia Karampatsou: Promoting sustainability and cycling culture within the Mitsis Group’s Sustainable Development & CSR Programme “A Story of Change”
- Costa Ofrynio Hospitality – Ofrynio Beach, Kavala, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Karl Chehab: Costa Ofrynio: A bike friendly destination between mountain and sea
- Sali Boutique Hotel – Alexandroupolis, General Manager, Ms. Chrysa Argyarakaki: On two wheels, closer to nature – closer to yourself. Discover your rhythm
- Akrolithi Boutique Hotel & Suites – Oitylo, Mani, Digital Marketing & Guest Experience Specialist, Ms. Andriana Goudi: Authenticity and sustainability in Mani: Akrolithi as a Bike Friendly hospitality experience
- Quiet Vineyards – Leros, Ms. Efrosyni Drosou: Sustainability, cycling and wine culture
13:30 – 14:00 Session 3: Travel agencies and cycling companies
Panel discussion: Service delivery models and operational practices by cycling companies and travel agencies
- Higher Than Everest – Alexandroupolis, Founder & Legal Representative, Mr. Giorgos Kazakos: Cycle tourism in Greece – Market potential and current landscape
- Evia Adventure Tours, General Manager, Mr. Stefanos Kounis: Nine months of alternative tourism in Evia
- Greenmove – Ioannina, Member, Mr. Vasileios Bekas: Green Mobility for Sustainable Urban Mobility and Thematic Tourism in Ioannina
Forum Moderators:
Ms. Vicky Karantzavelou & Mr. Theodoros Koumelis
