The Deputy Mayor for Local Development and Tourism of the Municipality of Volos with the Department of Tourism of the Municipality of Volos participated in the 1st GREEK ALTERNATIVE TOURISM WORKSHOP WARSAW 2019, held in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, in cooperation with the Hellenic Organization under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek Embassy in Poland, the Hellenic-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Investment as well as the Hellenic Cultural and Educational Group for UNESCO.

The 1st Greek Alternative Tourism Workshop Warsaw 2019 is aimed at Tourism Enterprises and Public Bodies interested in promoting their services and products around alternative tourism in the Polish market

The tourism department together with the Hotel Owners Association of the Prefecture of Magnesia presented the destination to over 90 Polish travel agents and journalists from Poland and held personal discussions in which they showed particular interest in the area of ​​Volos and Pelion.

The Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos participated with very positive results in the 1st Greek Alternative Tourism Workshop Warsaw 2019 held in Warsaw, Poland.

The event was organized by Tourism Media & Events, sponsored by the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) and was under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek Embassy in Poland and the Hellenic-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

The Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos was represented by Dr. Elias Valiakos, who presented the options for visiting the Petrified Forest and the Lesvos Geopark, putting special emphasis on the activities of alternative forms of tourism available.

The event attracted the interest of the Polish tourist market, which is among the top markets for tourists for Greece. The choice of the Polish market was made based on the interest in the Greek tourist product and the dynamic of the country itself, as Polish tourists are lovers of alternative tourism and travel to Greece all year round.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of Greece to Poland Mr. M. Daratzikis and was attended by a large number of Polish Tourist Agents and Tour Operators, representatives of leading tourism websites, many journalists and Polish businessmen who were provided with a flourish of information for the country and in particular, the alternative tourism activities it offers.

Apart from the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, the PsiloritisGeopark and the SitiaGeopark also participated in the event. Also present were the Tourist Organization of Halkidiki, the Municipality of Volos as well as representatives of hotel units and alternative tourism companies from Greece.

During the event, B2B meetings were organized with specialised agents of the Polish market. The meetings were organized by a Polish PR company, which had invited both agents and local media. During the B2B meetings, the Fossilized Forest of Lesvos and the unique natural and cultural wealth of Lesvos were presented in detail by Mr. Elias Valiakos.

Special mention was made of the Museum Network of Lesvos and the possibilities of visitors to get to know the Museums of Lesvos and their activities. At the same time, information was provided for the outdoor Parks of the Petrified Forest, the alternative tourism activities the island offers, such as walking, cycling, sailing, bird watching, as well as the female agro-tourism cooperations and the local producers, who offer high quality services to visitors, promoting the local products and gastronomy of Lesvos.

Throughout the event, special screens showed images from Lesvos, the Petrified Forest, the Museums of Lesvos and the alternative tourism activities. At the same time, the participants were given printed material which promoted the special characteristics of the destinations.

The way has been opened for the faster development of alternative tourism in Greece. The completion of the recent 1st Greek Alternative Tourism Workshop 2019, held on April 16 at the Dutch administrative center, Hague, marks and contributes to the beginning of a new era for the Greek tourism, aimed at extending the country’s tourist season but also promotingits alternative tourism product.

The 1st Greek Alternative Tourism Workshop Hague 2019 took place in the emblematic Madurodam.

Greek businessmen promoting alternative tourism have joined forces with public institutions to effectively promote Greece as an ideal tourist destination all year round to Dutch tourism professionals from Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

In particular, the B2B event, where B2B meetings were held, was attended by 93 travel agents and tour operators, as well as 19 Dutch journalists and bloggers who focus on alternative tourism. From the Greek side, their services presented the Regions of Peloponnese, Western Greece and Crete, the municipalities of Rethymno and Chios, the Tourism Organization of Halkidiki, and among others, Aegean Airlines, Celestyal Cruises, Costa Navarino, Creta Maris with We Do Local, or AXIA Hospitality, Aldemar Group’s Abeliona Retreat, Trekking Hellas, The Ranch, Bike Friendly Hotel, etc.

The Ambassador of Greece to the Netherlands, Mr.DimitrisChronopoulos, addressed the event, pointing out the dynamic of Greeceas a tourist destination, mentioning the prospects that are opening up in regards to the relations between the two countries in this area as well. Afterwards, the head of the EOT office Benelux Mrs.EleniSkarveli analysed the aspects of the country’s alternative product, emphasising the possibilities for holidays in Greece 365 days/year.

The event was completed with a lottery for 27 prizes to the Dutch Travel Agents, Tour Operators and journalists.

It is noted that the B2B meetings was preceded by a tasting of Greek wines by Dutch journalists, while on the sidelines of the event a tasting of olive oil was held. It is worth notingd that the 1st Greek Alternative Tourism Workshop Hague 2019 was organized by AVIAREPS in collaboration with Tourism Media & Events, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Hellenic-Dutch Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HeDA) and with the support of the Hellenic Tourism Organization (GNTO), while the Peloponnese Region the honorary Region of the event.