Spiros Pengas is a distinguished expert in tourism development, destination marketing, and international relations. With a strong academic background and extensive experience in both public administration and the private sector, he has played a key role in shaping the tourism and cultural landscape of Thessaloniki and beyond.

Born in Thessaloniki, Spiros attended the German School of Thessaloniki before pursuing higher education in Political Science and International Relations at the Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg i. Br. and the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. In June 2011, he was invited to attend the Executive Seminar ‘Public Leaders in Southeast Europe’ at Harvard University’s J.F. Kennedy School of Government – Kokkalis Program in Athens.

From 2011 to 2019, he served as Deputy Mayor of Thessaloniki, where he successfully transformed the city’s cultural profile from an inward-looking, ethnocentric identity into a cosmopolitan and multicultural hub. He pioneered the concept of ‘Cities’ Diplomacy’, an initiative that won the Greek Hospitality Award in 2016, and launched various innovative projects aimed at strengthening Thessaloniki’s international presence.

Throughout his career, Spiros has held multiple leadership positions in major organizations. He is a founding and board member of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB) and has served as Deputy President of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization, President & CEO of the Metropolitan Development Agency of Thessaloniki SA, and a board member of both the Thessaloniki International Expo SA and the Thessaloniki Film Festival.

In 2019, he founded Wise Ram SA, a company dedicated to promoting tourism and hospitality growth. As a consultant, he collaborates with municipalities, regions, organizations, and private enterprises on projects related to destination development and international outreach. His expertise has also led him to serve on the national Tourism Awards committee and as an Advisory Member to the Greek Ministry of Tourism’s Task Force, helping to guide the strategic allocation of EU Recovery & Resilience Fund resources.

Spiros is a prolific writer, contributing to various national and international media outlets, including Spiegel Magazine, ARD, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and BBC World. He is a sought-after speaker at international forums and conferences, sharing insights on tourism, cultural diplomacy, and urban development.

In addition to his consultancy work, Spiros is an Adjunct Instructor at the American College of Thessaloniki, where he teaches Destination Development and Marketing for the MS in Tourism & Hospitality program.

Finally, Spiros was honored to serve as a Member of the International Jury for the prestigious EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2020-2022.

He is fluent in Greek, English, and German.

Jolda Druga – Latifi is a Tourism Development Consultant with expertise in digital marketing, destination management, and tourism growth strategies. She specializes in providing strategic guidance in tourism, hospitality, and marketing to both public and private entities, helping destinations drive growth and extroversion.

With a strong background in digital marketing, Jolda has a particular focus on content creation and social media management within the tourism industry. After earning her degree in International Relations & Diplomacy from the American College of Thessaloniki, she pursued a Master’s in Hospitality & Tourism Management. During this time, she gained hands-on experience in the hospitality sector, working in five-star hotels as a certified Guest Experience Expert (GEE) in Tourism, accredited by TUV Austria.

Her passion for combining tourism with new media led her to obtain a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing & Social Media. She later worked in the digital advertising industry as a content marketing expert, managing content for successful digital marketing campaigns. Actively engaged in the latest trends in tourism digitalization, she regularly participates in educational meetings and conferences to stay at the forefront of industry developments.

Over the past four years, Jolda has collaborated with and advised more than 20 cities, hotels, municipalities, regions, and private companies on key aspects of tourism development, helping them enhance their market presence. She also maintains strong partnerships with tour operators and agencies in the Balkans, contributing to the region’s tourism growth.

In addition to her consultancy work, Jolda is an Adjunct Instructor at the American College of Thessaloniki, where she teaches Destination Management for the MS in Tourism & Hospitality Program, sharing her industry expertise with the next generation of tourism professionals.