ODAP, Visa and Cardlink, a Worldline brand expand their collaboration with new automatic ticketing machines at archaeological sites

Press Release

August 18th, 2025

ODAP, Visa and Cardlink, a Worldline brand expand their collaboration with new automatic ticketing machines at archaeological sites

● Over 200,000 tickets were issued at the Acropolis within just a year and a half of installing the automatic ticketing machines.
● From Sounio and Aigai to Delos and 19 other archaeological sites across Greece, automatic ticketing machines are set to be installed by the end of 2025.

ODAP, Visa, and Cardlink, a Worldline brand, announced a five-year extension of their collaboration, which includes the installation of twenty-two new automatic ticketing machines at major archaeological sites and museums across Greece by the end of 2025. This initiative builds on the successful deployment of machines in 2023 at the Acropolis, Ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, and the Archaeological Museum of Delphi.

From the very first months of operation, visitors responded positively to this contemporary solution, which enhances the overall experience by making transactions faster and easier, while ensuring Visa’s high security standards are upheld.

By reducing waiting times at ticketing points, the system allows more visitors to be served efficiently.

The solution has already proven highly effective: at the Acropolis alone, it has enabled the issuance of more than 200,000 tickets in just over a year and a half. At the same time, it supports Greece’s digital transformation in visitor services and payments, further strengthening the country’s tourism sector.

By the end of the year, additional machines will be installed at several major archaeological sites, including Sounion, Olympia, the Ancient Agora of Athens, Mystras, Delos, Spinalonga, Ancient Corinth, and Aigai.

Ms. Nicoletta Divari-Valakou, President of the Board of Directors of ODAP, stated:
“This new phase of our collaboration with Visa and Cardlink reflects our commitment to creating a more accessible and modern cultural environment. The successful operation of the ticketing machines at the Acropolis and other key archaeological sites, with more than 200,000 tickets issued, highlights the importance of digital transformation in the cultural sector. By expanding to new destinations, we make the country’s rich cultural heritage more accessible to visitors, while enhancing the efficiency of our services. This initiative is part of ODAP’s broader strategy to adopt innovative solutions that both preserve and promote our monuments, while making the visitor experience even smoother.”

Mr. Nikos Petrakis, Country Manager of Visa in Greece, said: “Almost two years after the installation of the first automatic ticketing machines at the Acropolis, Ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, and the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, we are proud to extend our collaboration with ODAP and Cardlink with the addition of twenty-two more machines at iconic archaeological sites across Greece. The new machines will not only enhance the ticketing process, reducing waiting times and making transactions easier, but will also ensure the highest security standards for every payment. By modernizing services for visitors, we contribute to the continued growth of the tourism sector and support the broader goals of Greece’s digital transformation. We will keep offering residents and visitors advanced payment methods, ensuring seamless and secure access to the country’s rich cultural heritage.”

Ioannis Kitixis, Country Head & Managing Director of Worldline in Greece, said:
“At Cardlink, a Worldline brand, we are very pleased to implement and further expand this innovative project. Since the installation and launch of the first machines, the visitor experience at archaeological sites has already improved, and we are excited that through integrated solutions we can further facilitate users, supporting both the country’s digital transformation and the tourism sector with the necessary technological tools. By combining Cardlink’s national expertise with Worldline’s international experience, we remain fully committed to innovation and to delivering personalized, technologically advanced solutions for every need in the field of payments.”

About Cardlink
Cardlink was founded in 2004 and is the largest payment service provider in Greece. Cardlink helps businesses with their day-to-day transactions with quality, security and speed. The Cardlink team monitors developments in the field of electronic payments and adopts the latest technologies and services that continuously improve the trading experience in physical and electronic commerce. Since September 2021, Cardlink has been member of Worldline (Euronext:WLN), the European leader in the payments services.
cardlink.gr

About Worldline
Worldline [Euronext: WLN] helps businesses of all shapes and sizes to accelerate their growth journey – quickly, simply, and securely. With advanced payments technology, local expertise and solutions customized for hundreds of markets and industries, Worldline powers the growth of over one million businesses around the world. Worldline generated a 4.4 billion euros revenue in 2022.
www.worldline.com
Read here the 2022 Integrated Report of Worldline.

Contact
Cardlink: Eleni Diamanti, tel. +30 2111991742, email: eleni.diamanti@worldline.com
AIA Relate: Katerina Kaskouti, tel. +30 210 7418908, email: kaskouti@aea