In an exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with the Mayor of Thessaloniki, a city known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Our conversation delved into the city's ongoing projects, the challenges it faces, and the Mayor's vision for its future. Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, has been making significant strides in urban development and cultural preservation. The Mayor shared insights on these initiatives and the driving force behind his dedication to the city's growth.
Can you tell us about your journey to become the mayor of Thessaloniki? What motivated you to pursue this role?
Serving as the Mayor of Thessaloniki is an incredible honor and a profound responsibility. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a city that boasts a rich and historic legacy. While Thessaloniki's history is deeply woven into its character, it is the forward-looking vision and commitment to modern development—through infrastructure projects and strategic growth—that will propel the city into the future.
Since taking office in October 2023, how have you seen Thessaloniki evolve? What are some key changes or developments you've witnessed?
Thessaloniki boasts two major assets: its rich historical DNA, characterized by its colorful and inclusive heritage, and its strategic geographical location. These strengths, rooted in the city’s past and diverse cultural fabric, provide a strong foundation for future development.
The ongoing conflict with the Houthis on the Arabian Peninsula has disrupted shipping routes, significantly hindering the movement of goods and commercial operations. As a result, many ships have rerouted through the Mediterranean, and over the past six months, Thessaloniki has increasingly become a preferred destination over Piraeus. This shift underscores Thessaloniki’s strategic importance as a crucial gateway to Southeastern Europe.
Guided by this realization, our vision for the city’s development is anchored in three key pillars:
Transportation: Thessaloniki serves as the center of an extensive network that includes both its port and railways, positioning the city as a critical node in regional and international trade.
Logistics: Building on our strategic location, we are enhancing the city’s logistics capabilities to meet the growing demands of global commerce.
Innovation: Over the past decade, Thessaloniki has emerged as a vibrant hub of innovation. The city is home to several major sector hubs and a thriving startup ecosystem, driving initiatives that place Thessaloniki at the forefront of technological advancement.
We also strongly believe that tourism is a major pillar for the city’s growth. Thessaloniki is rich in Byzantine monuments, and nearby are significant sites such as the Palace of Vergina, home to Philip and Alexander the Great, Mount Athos with its profound spiritual significance, Mount Olympus, and the stunning beaches of Chalkidiki. These assets position Thessaloniki as a premier tourist destination.
Therefore, our municipal efforts are focused on four key areas: transportation, logistics, innovation, and tourism. Our goal is to foster the city’s development by creating a beautiful, sustainable environment that enhances the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
What are the primary objectives of your administration for 2024 and 2025? Could you share the main projects your office is currently working on? Are there any exciting future projects you can tell us about?
Before embarking on any major development in Thessaloniki, it is essential to establish a strong foundation with robust infrastructure, spacious public squares, and sustainable smart technologies. With this vision in mind, we have planned five major interventions that will integrate various public sectors.
Imagine Thessaloniki five years from now: two main infrastructures will shape the city's future—an extensive metro system and enhanced sea transportation.
In 8-9 months, we will begin the process for the reconstruction of the new Aristotelous Square. Prior to that, in a few months from now, work will commence on Eleftheria Square, located in the city center. This square holds great historical significance as a tribute to the 50,000 Greek Jewish Holocaust victims. We committed to transforming this space , fulfilling our obligation to honor the city’s history. Currently used as a parking lot, the square will be cleared of cars, and the development of a memorial park will begin.
Additionally, the main metro line is scheduled for completion in November, with a second line connecting Kalamaria to the city center set to be finished by the end of 2025. We are confident that with these initiatives, Thessaloniki will undergo a remarkable transformation within the next five years, becoming more dynamic, sustainable, and progressive.
Finally, we must not forget the new Holocaust Museum, for which construction works have already started, with full completion expected in 2027. This museum will be a significant addition to our city, further enriching its cultural and historical landscape.
Tourism plays a vital role in Thessaloniki's economy. How important is tourism to the city, and what steps are you taking to enhance this sector? How many tourists do you have currently, what is the goal for the next years?
We believe Thessaloniki is an exceptional destination, offering a rich experience within 3-4 days. Visitors can explore the city's highlights and easily travel to nearby attractions we mentioned earlier. Our goal is to reach 20 million tourists over the next 5-7 years—a challenging but achievable target, considering we currently host approximately 1,000,000 tourists annually.
Our visitors generally fall into two categories:tThose who see Thessaloniki as their primary destination and those who visit the city while traveling to Chalkidiki or other nearby locations for their summer holidays.
As the CEO of the port a decade ago, we welcomed 30 cruise ships per year. Now, that number has grown to around 85 annually, and our goal is to reach 120 ships per year within the next 3-4 years. Approximately 50-60% of cruise passengers stay in the city, while the rest visit nearby archaeological sites.
It is also worth highlighting two additional points:
Thessaloniki is recognized as a UNESCO gastronomy destination. Over the past six months, we have launched several initiatives to support and promote our city's vibrant culinary scene.
We were honored to host EuroPride, welcoming 25,000 visitors to a week of events including music, cultural activities, and conferences on human rights. Thessaloniki was the first Greek city to host this prestigious event, and we are very pleased with its success.
In terms of sustainable tourism, do you have anything in mind? What is your vision for Thessaloniki over the next five years? How do you see the city transforming?
We believe that sustainable tourism is only possible with sustainable infrastructure. In many European cities, such as Venice and Barcelona, residents have started to voice concerns about overtourism. We are committed to taking a different approach.
To ensure balanced growth, we are steadily expanding our capacity by adding 3-4 new five-star hotels each year, along with infrastructure developments that support sustainable tourism. With this carefully planned strategy, we are confident that tourism in Thessaloniki will grow in a balanced and sustainable manner, step by step.
What incentives does Thessaloniki offer to attract foreign direct investment and boost tourism? Are there any specific communication strategies or events planned to promote the city internationally?
In the first six months, we concentrated on addressing the daily management challenges of Thessaloniki. However, starting in September, we are rolling out a robust plan to aggressively promote the city in key countries that are significant to tourism and other development sectors. Our second focus area will be implementing a communication strategy aimed at attracting foreign investment.
Recently, we had a productive meeting with Mr. Bourla of Pfizer, where we discussed how to replicate the successful model that Pfizer has established in Thessaloniki.
While it is essential to honor our past as a foundational element of our identity, we are committed to looking forward. With a background in business and extensive experience as a lawyer working with companies, my focus is on getting the job done for our city—not on playing politics. Every day, we think about how we can improve our work, aiming to bring the same level of efficiency and effectiveness that I have gained from the private sector to the public service of Thessaloniki.
How is the sports culture developing in Thessaloniki? Are there any particular initiatives or events aimed at promoting sports in the city?
We are committed to establishing a dedicated facility for handball, recognizing the potential of sports tourism. We plan to organize numerous sports events in collaboration with both Greek and international Olympic federations.
In the next two years, our focus will be on developing an Olympic-grade facility for skateboarding. With skateboarding and climbing recently added to the Olympic Games, and their rapid growth in European countries, it is essential that we create the infrastructure to support these sports. This is our target for the next three years, and we are confident that we will achieve it.
In terms of U.S. investments, are there any additional companies showing interest in Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is home to numerous innovative companies that maintain a low profile, particularly in the innovation sector. For example, we have 2-3 emerging research companies headquartered in Peraia, actively collaborating with international partners, especially in software development. Innovation in Thessaloniki is a dynamic sector, with a focus on advanced technologies rather than traditional heavy industries.
The city also benefits from the presence of three universities with outstanding academic staff, forming a crucial pillar of our growth. The synergy between these educational institutions, innovative companies, and various initiatives creates a robust ecosystem vital to our vision for Thessaloniki.
Our goal is to expand this ecosystem, which includes major players like Deloitte, Pfizer, and Chubb—each making significant investments, such as Deloitte’s new building at the port. Ultimately, our aim is to establish Thessaloniki as a city of innovation and technology. With careful management, it will also become a top-tier tourist destination, offering a sustainable and high-quality lifestyle for anyone who chooses to live here.
We are also exploring opportunities in the entertainment industry. Over the past three years, Thessaloniki has been selected as the filming location for three major American films. The production company behind these films has its headquarters just 20 km outside the city. Additionally, in a recent meeting with our Greek American partners, we discussed the possibility of launching a direct flight route between Thessaloniki and New York, which would further enhance our city’s global connectivity.
As the mayor, what achievements are you most proud of in both your personal and professional life?
In four years time, by the end of my five-year mandate, our next interview will focus on the most significant accomplishments of this term. Reflecting on my career, I am particularly proud of my time at the Port of Thessaloniki, where I transformed both its perception and economic dynamics.
My role as President and Managing Director of the Thessaloniki Port Authority was a defining chapter in my career. I am proud of the changes we implemented, not only in the port’s operations but also in its long-term development trajectory.
I firmly believe in teamwork, knowing that the best results come from the collective efforts of a team rather than a single individual. Every achievement in my life has been the result of collaboration, a principle I continue to apply in my work with the municipality.
Additionally, I have been actively involved in the Olympic movement since 2001, serving as a member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Currently, I hold the position of First Executive Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
I am the founder and first president of the National Olympic Academy and the founder of Greece’s first Olympic Museum, which is part of the International Olympic Committee. This initiative has helped integrate Thessaloniki into the larger international Olympic family.
I also participated as a Special Advisor in the organization of the Athens Olympic Games and was a member of the Organizing Committee for the 2004 Olympic Games.
On a personal note, I have a wonderful family and am a proud father of two children.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to Newsweek readers who are considering Thessaloniki as a potential destination for investment and tourism?
Firstly, we would like to thank Newsweek. We encourage everyone to choose Thessaloniki, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our development is centered around the people, and the city possesses all the necessary dynamics to evolve rapidly and robustly. We invite you to invest in Thessaloniki, particularly in the sectors of technology, tourism, and innovation. All of this will unfold in a city that is continually enhancing its sustainability and improving the quality of life for its residents every single day. This is not just our job—it is our obligation, and we are committed to upholding it.
Thessaloniki is currently in a transitional phase. In the northern part of the city lies Ano Poli, a historic district rich in tradition, contrasting beautifully with the sea and the newly developed waterfront, our Riviera, which has received two awards for its planning and architecture. The first piers at the port offer a wonderful area for walking and leisure activities. These are just a few of the many reasons we love this city so deeply.
Our priorities include enhancing public spaces, ensuring cleanliness, and increasing greenery—central goals and challenges for us. While these may seem self-evident for any municipal authority, such as waste management and regulating outdoor seating for bars and restaurants, they are especially vital for a city like Thessaloniki.
In three years, we will embark on an exciting new project in this area, which will include new buildings and a green park with 4,000 trees in the heart of the city—the International Fair area. Thessaloniki is truly a city of love, and its future is as bright as its rich history.
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