The Municipality of Rhodes has secured a significant opportunity to promote tourism in the British and international tourism markets through an agreement between the Rhodes Tourism Promotion Organization (PROTOUR) and the Premier League. As part of the agreement, the logo of the island’s official tourism portal, www.visit-rhodes.gr, is displayed on LED advertising boards during matches of the world’s most popular soccer league.
Premier League matches are broadcast to millions of fans around the world, offering Rhodes the opportunity for widespread international exposure. The “www.visit-rhodes.gr” logo will be visible not only to fans watching the matches from the stands but also to a vast television audience.
The choice of this particular event is directly linked to the strategic importance of the British tourism market for Rhodes. The United Kingdom has long been one of the island’s most important source markets for visitors, consistently ranking high in international tourist arrivals. The strong ties between the British and Rhodes, combined with the immense popularity of soccer in the country, create the conditions for a targeted marketing campaign with international reach.
Beyond strengthening Rhodes’ presence in the British market, this partnership opens up opportunities to expand its international tourism reach. Leveraging such a powerful sporting institution as a communication tool is part of a broader outreach strategy, which aims to promote Rhodes in new markets and strengthen its position in the international competition among tourist destinations.
The agreement is an initiative of the Rhodes Tourism Promotion Organization — PROTOUR, as part of an effort to leverage modern and alternative channels for tourism promotion, with the goal of expanding the destination’s reach and engaging new audiences.
Commenting on the significance of the agreement and the strategic decision to link the destination with the Premier League, Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis stated the following: “For the British, soccer is not just a sport. It is a passion, a tradition, a way of life. And for decades now, Rhodes has been one of their favorite destinations. One in three international visitors to the island is British. Now we’re meeting them where their hearts beat: at the stadium, at the moment when they experience their most intense emotions. And along with them, the whole world is watching Rhodes. “With this agreement, we are strengthening our position in our most important market, opening the door to a new audience from every corner of the globe, and building the future of our tourism industry with boldness and ambition.”
In a statement, Nikos Pavlakidis, president of PROTOUR and special advisor on tourism for the Municipality of Rhodes, said: “Promoting Rhodes as a tourist destination requires a constant search for new approaches, a modern perspective, and the full utilization of every opportunity that can bring our destination closer to an international audience. It’s not enough to follow the beaten path. We need to be bold, seek out innovative communication channels, and be where the attention of millions of people is focused. With the agreement for www.visit-rhodes.gr to cover Premier League matches, we are choosing one of the most powerful international platforms, linking Rhodes to a global sporting event. We are capitalizing on the momentum of the British market while simultaneously reaching a multinational audience. The goal of our Municipal Authority is to strengthen Rhodes’ international standing, maintain the vitality of our traditional markets, and open new avenues for attracting visitors from around the world.”