Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis participated in the Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions, held in Brussels on July 2 and 3, bringing the city’s tourism challenges and priorities to the forefront of the European agenda.
During a session dedicated to sustainable tourism — with EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas as the keynote speaker — Angeloudis emphasized the notable increase in tourist traffic Thessaloniki has seen this year.
He also called for a new strategic approach to tourism that prioritizes social cohesion and environmental sustainability.
“What we must consider is not simply the rise in visitor numbers, but the kind of tourism we want for our cities,” Angeloudis stated. “Tourism must leave a positive environmental footprint, be rooted in social cohesion, and avoid placing undue strain on residents and infrastructure.”
The mayor underlined that tourism should not be disconnected from local communities. He urged the EU to develop new policies and tools to address critical areas, including:
• regulation of short-term rentals and housing,
• support for niche and alternative forms of tourism,
• funding initiatives that enhance sustainability and improve air connectivity for cities.
“For us, tourism is an opportunity for resilience, balanced growth, and social inclusion. It must not become a threat to the environment or the quality of life of our residents,” Angeloudis concluded.
