Greece has won the TTG Star Award 2026 in the Destination category, voted by Italy’s travel industry. The prize went to the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s office in Italy.
Kyriaki Boulasidou, who heads the GNTO office in Italy, accepted the award. The ceremony took place during TTG Travel Experience 2026, held in Rimini from 14 to 16 October.
Why Greece won the TTG Star Award
Italian tourism professionals and readers of the trade title TTG Italia choose the winners. Many in the trade call the awards the “Oscars” of Italian tourism.
This year, TTG Italia said voters lodged more than 6,000 votes across 12 candidates in four categories. As a result, the TTG Star Award for Destination went to Greece.
Read more: GNTO Melbourne Office Marks Official Launch at Greek Consulate
TTG Italia said voters rewarded Greece’s push beyond beaches and ancient sites. Instead, the country now promotes its inland regions and mountains too.
“Italians love Greece dearly. Our task now is to work on extending the season and spreading visitors across the whole country. Greece is not just the islands.”
Kyriaki Boulasidou, head of GNTO Italy (translated from Italian)
Italy remains one of Greece’s key source markets. However, Greek tourism faces new challenges after a record 2025, so a longer season is a priority.
Crete takes food and wine prize
Crete also collected a separate honour at the fair. The Italian tourism journalists’ association, GIST, named it Best Wine and Gastronomy Destination at its Food Travel Awards 2026.
Katerina Meimaroglou of GNTO Italy accepted the prize with Dr Kyriakos Kotsoglou. He is the tourism councillor for the Region of Crete.
The win adds to a strong month for Greek food. Earlier, the Michelin Guide added seven new stars across Greece.
At the fair itself, the GNTO stand hosted 14 Greek co-exhibitors. Boulasidou also met leaders of the Italian travel agents’ federation, FIAVET.
Overall, the fair that hosts the TTG Star Award drew exhibitors from 75 countries and 2,800 brands. Organisers also counted more than 1,000 international buyers and about 200 events.
Altogether, the TTG Star Award and the Crete prize give Greece a lift with Italian travellers ahead of 2027.
Source: Ekathimerini
