Greece hosts Destination Weddings Tourism Forum 2026

With international participation and the presence of institutional representatives, leading industry professionals, and opinion leaders, the Destination Weddings Tourism Forum – Greece 2026 was held, highlighting Greece’s dynamic position as a top destination for wedding tourism.

The forum featured greetings from the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, and the Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Jason Fotilas, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

Ms. Kefalogianni emphasized that wedding tourism is a journey with deep personal meaning, as two people choose a destination to mark one of the most important days of their lives. At the same time, it mobilizes numerous professionals and generates direct value for local communities, while typically involving longer stays, higher spending, and a meaningful connection between visitors and the destination.

Mr. Fotilas focused on Greece’s advantages, noting that the country’s history, memory, and tradition create a unique setting that accompanies visitors for a lifetime. He also stressed that the Ministry of Culture acts as the guardian of cultural heritage and works continuously for its protection and promotion.

A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the study “Saying Yes to Greece – Destination Weddings in Greece: Mapping the Market” by Focus Bari, presented by its founder Xenia Kourtoglou, offering a comprehensive picture and outlook of the sector for the first time.

Key findings show that the average budget per destination wedding reaches €160,000 (excluding VAT), while each wedding involves around 130 guests and a 4-night stay, significantly boosting tourism spending. The total annual economic contribution could reach up to €2.5 billion. Additionally, 77% of weddings managed by planners involve couples from abroad, mainly from the USA, UK, Australia, and Israel, with emerging markets such as India and Middle Eastern countries gaining momentum.

Regarding India, Pramod Lunawat, CEO of Millennium Event & Marriageuana, highlighted that Indian destination weddings can reach budgets of up to €1 million for a three-day event with 300 guests, generating significant local economic activity.

New trends in wedding tourism include multi-day celebrations, authentic local experiences, personalized planning, high-end gastronomy, and pre- and post-wedding activities.

Finally, stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger international promotion of Greece as a wedding destination, improved access to historical sites and monuments, upgraded venues and infrastructure, development of new destinations beyond established hotspots, and a strong digital presence through online channels.

Investment in promotional campaigns is considered essential, as destination choice is heavily influenced by digital content and social media, according to Alina Kupernina, co-founder of the international wedding media WedVibes, who highlighted the decisive role of social media in shaping modern trends.

Destination weddings are now seen as complete travel products, contributing to the extension of the tourist season and the development of tourism across more regions of Greece.

The conference was opened by GDPA President Thomas Politis, who stressed the strategic importance of wedding tourism for the Greek economy and the need for a coordinated national strategy to establish Greece as a global leader in the sector. He underlined the long-term efforts of GDPA members and the importance of collective action.

“Wedding tourism is not just an emerging form of tourism but a strategic pillar of development with high added value for the Greek economy,” he concluded, adding that Greece needs targeted international promotion, infrastructure improvements, and institutional cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The conference was held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and SETE.