In the heart of Western Macedonia, Kozani hosted on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the third consecutive conference of the Agroxenia – Hellenic-Italian Chamber of Thessaloniki alliance, co-organized by the Kozani Chamber of Commerce. An event that gave voice and vision to the agritourism businesses of the region, within the framework of the European program DigAccessAgrotourism, which aims to digitally upgrade and strengthen agritourism.
The conference was a meeting point for producers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, as well as representatives of organizations, with the common goal of developing a sustainable, accessible and competitive agritourism. In the hall of the Kozani Chamber, European prospects, good practices from Italy and the opportunities that open up for Western Macedonia, a region with a rich productive base and a unique natural and cultural heritage, were discussed.
The Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism, Culture and Environment, Polytimi Farmaki, underlined that agrotourism is “a promising sector that connects nature, tradition and gastronomy with gentle forms of tourism”, such as hiking, cycling and cultural tours. At the same time, she stressed that cooperation initiatives contribute substantially to the information and extroversion of local businesses.
For his part, the President of the Kozani Chamber, Ioannis Mitliagkas, noted that a “comprehensive and coordinated effort to strengthen agrotourism, leveraging international synergies and networks” is underway. Accordingly, the President of Agroxenia, Nikos Gallios, highlighted the importance of cooperation in promoting businesses on the European map, underlining that “agritourism cannot advance alone”.
Representatives of the Hellenic-Italian Chamber of Commerce also made interventions. Secretary General Marco Della Puppa, although absent, declared himself proud of the continuation of the project, while Deputy Secretary General Christiana Avdi and members Lia Kalambokaki and Persephone Avramidou highlighted the value of cooperation and digital empowerment for the competitiveness of small businesses.
The event concluded with a clear statement: Western Macedonia has all the guarantees to play a leading role in Greek agritourism. With ambassadorial products such as saffron, aromatic plants, apples, legumes and cheeses, with guesthouses and restaurants that highlight the local identity, but also with institutional support, it can combine tradition with innovation.
This third DigAccessAgrotourism conference was not just a presentation of ideas, but a substantial platform for dialogue, networking and cooperation. It sent the message that agrotourism in Western Macedonia has the potential to be strongly integrated into the European and international environment, constituting a lever for development for the countryside and a valuable tool for sustainable progress.
