The President of Kourtidis Group at the 1st Macedonia Forum
„Tourism development begins with the sustainable prosperity of local communities”
The 1st Macedonia Forum was held in Serres on Saturday, April 12th, a significant two-day conference focusing on the development prospects of Northern Greece, with the participation of political and business representatives. Mr. Nikolaos Kourtidis, President of Kourtidis Group, took part as a speaker in the “Tourism Development” panel, presenting the Group’s strategic vision and multifaceted initiatives across the wider region.
The panel was moderated by the Deputy Regional Governor of Serres, Mr. Panagiotis Spyropoulos, and featured key figures including the European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Anna Karamanli, the Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism of Central Macedonia, Ms. Vicky Chatzivasileiou, the Deputy Regional Governor for Extroversion of Central Macedonia, Mr. Bane Prelević, the Mayor of Sintiki, Mr. Giorgos Tatsios, the Mayor of Iraklia, Mr. Cleanthis Kotsakiahidis, and the Mayor of Nea Zichni, Mr. Pantelis Bozis.
The Group’s business model: The coexistence of growth and social prosperity
In his speech, Mr. Kourtidis highlighted the Group’s philosophy of closely linking business activity with local development. As he pointed out: „It was a strategic decision to develop a business model that fosters the parallel growth of our Group and the prosperity of the communities in which we operate.” He emphasized that the Group’s choice to invest in lesser-known, underpromoted regions has proven fruitful. Today, these areas hold a strong presence on Greece’s tourism and investment map.
During his presentation, the President of the Group also showcased three standout tourism-related initiatives undertaken by Kourtidis Group:
- Amphipolis Forum – A platform for dialogue and planning aimed at enhancing the region’s tourism and cultural assets, in collaboration with the Municipality of Amphipolis
- Tourism Festival – A two-day event that brings together key points of interest from the prefectures of Serres, Drama, and Kavala, serving as a “map of experiences” for visitors. Notably, 12 of the 25 festival stands were dedicated exclusively to the Serres region
- Kavala Experience digital app – A smart, personal guide offering audio tours in four languages and personalized itinerary suggestions across the three regional units of Central and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
A landmark project: A Theme Park dedicated to Alexander the Great
Mr. Kourtidis confirmed that the Group is in the early stages of designing an ambitious theme park dedicated to Alexander the Great, near the Kasta Tomb. This project, with global appeal and national significance, aims to become a major driver of tourism development for Serres and the surrounding area. „This will be the world’s first theme park devoted entirely to Alexander the Great — designed with scientific documentation, architectural integrity, and historical accuracy. We are currently in the design phase and assembling the scientific team,” he stated.
The Schengen opportunity of a new era
The President also referred to the promising prospects created by Bulgaria and Romania’s inclusion in the Schengen Area as of January 1, 2025, highlighting the opportunity to attract even more road travelers to the region: „Our region is now closer than ever to these key markets. The challenge is to respond with outward-looking strategies and offer authentic travel experiences.”
Mr. Kourtidis’ participation in the Macedonia Forum underscored the Group’s firm commitment to a model of tourism that prioritizes sustainability, cultural identity and strong public-private collaboration. As he aptly concluded: „We cannot speak of major projects and investments unless we simultaneously take steps to support and uplift the local communities and their people.”
