Authentic Greek hospitality, gastronomy, culture, and immersive travel experiences were at the heart of two familiarisation trips (fam trips) organised by the EOT External Office in the Netherlands. The initiative showcased Eastern Crete and Thassos through the eyes of two well-known Dutch travel bloggers. The programme is part of Greece’s broader strategic promotion across the BeNeLux markets (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), which are considered among the most dynamic and high-value source markets for Greek tourism.
Eastern Crete and Thassos in the spotlight
Eastern Crete and Thassos in the spotlightIn Eastern Crete, in cooperation with the Tourism Department of Lasithi, travel blogger Lisa Vermeer, creator of the platform Dutchbloggeronthemove, was hosted on a curated experience focused on experiential and luxury travel. During her stay, she visited regions across Lasithi and Heraklion, experienced local gastronomy, explored cultural heritage, and discovered the authentic lifestyle of Crete. She has already shared early impressions with her audience via Instagram, while in-depth blog articles are expected to follow, further enhancing the visibility of the region within the BeNeLux markets.
Similarly, on the island of Thassos, in cooperation with the Thassos Hoteliers Association, content creator Kate Mich, founder of elysianmoment.com, was hosted as part of the initiative. Her platform focuses primarily on family travel and lifestyle experiences. During her visit, she explored beaches, hotel units, cultural landmarks, and local production sites, while also taking part in hiking and cultural activities and experiencing the island’s gastronomy. In her detailed feature, she describes Thassos as a peaceful destination distinguished by its natural beauty and genuine Greek hospitality.
High-Value source markets for Greek tourism
These initiatives are not coincidental. The BeNeLux markets remain one of the most important inbound tourism sources for Greece, attracting high-spending travellers with a strong interest in nature, gastronomy, culture, and authentic experiences. The Netherlands continues to rank among Greece’s top source markets, with over 1.2 million annual visitors and tourism revenues exceeding €800 million, while Belgium has recorded significant growth in both arrivals and revenue in recent years.
At the same time, travellers from the region increasingly favour smaller, authentic destinations, engaging in activities such as hiking, wine tourism, culinary experiences, and off-peak travel. This trend strongly benefits destinations such as Eastern Crete and Thassos, which offer a distinctive local identity and diversified tourism product.
The power of digital creators
Familiarisation trips have become one of the most effective tourism promotion tools, as content produced by bloggers and digital creators serves as authentic word-of-mouth storytelling for global audiences. Through personal narratives, imagery, and lived experiences, they influence travel decisions and enhance the international visibility of lesser-known Greek destinations.
Given the steady rise in demand from BeNeLux markets and the growing shift toward experience-based tourism, EOT’s initiatives strengthen Greece’s positioning among high-value audiences. They highlight the country not only as a sun-and-sea destination, but as a place of authentic, year-round experiential travel.
