Edessa, the city of water and waterfalls, is celebrating World Tourism Day 2026 and looking toward the future of tourism. On Monday, September 28, at the Waterfalls Park and the historic Hemp Mill, the city is hosting a special celebration dedicated to the relationship between people and their surroundings, water, the tourism experience, and new technologies. This year’s event, themed «Digital Agenda & Artificial Intelligence for the Redesign of Tourism & Sustainable Tourism Development,» is held under the auspices of UN World Tourism Organization —the World Tourism Organization—and takes on particular international significance, as Edessa has consistently been a Greek event included in on the map of initiatives highlighted from around the world.
This year’s festival centers on the «waterways.» The waterfalls, rivers, and a celebration of Edessa’s 3,000-year history, starting with a contemporary discussion on sustainability, local identity, innovation, and the digital transformation of tourism. Through eight educational workshops, students and teachers will explore the destination through hands-on activities that connect Edessa’s natural and cultural assets with entrepreneurship, new skills, and artificial intelligence. The program is open to schools that register to participate. The educational program is designed and coordinated by Dr. Evangelos Kyriakou, a specialist in destination management and a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), who brings a modern, international perspective on sustainable and resilient tourism destinations.
This year’s event takes on even greater symbolic significance, as the historic Cannabourgio reopens its doors after many years. This iconic venue will host the «Healthy Cities» Conference until Sunday, September 27, and on Monday, September 28, it will serve as the focal point for the celebration of World Tourism Day. Edessa is celebrating, showcasing its identity, and at the same time introducing the world to a city that transforms water, history, and innovation into a vision for the future of tourism.
