With a common goal of highlighting the excellent quality and variety of products produced in Crete and their utilization in the cuisine of Cretan hotels, the administrations of the four Chambers of Crete are moving forward, amidst the preparation of the 13th Pan-Cretan Forum.
The leading and very important business event for the local economy is being organized for the 13th time in a coordinated effort to channel the production of fresh and processed agricultural and livestock products into the kitchens of the island’s hotels and to give millions of visitors the opportunity to taste the famous Cretan diet.
The 13th Pan-Cretan Forum for the Promotion of Cretan Products in Cretan Hotels and Distribution Networks will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 09.00 to 15.00, at the International Exhibition Center of Crete (ICEC). Participation for producers and processors of agricultural and livestock products, as well as hoteliers is FREE, but an application must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025, at the following address: https://aitiseis.ebeh.gr/pagkritio-forum.
B2B meetings of producers with hoteliers
These are pre-arranged short B2B meetings of producers with hoteliers, who sit at the same table to discuss the possibility of cooperation between them so that the needs of Cretan hotels can be met by local production during the new tourist season.
In recent years, participation has been enriched with meetings, in which artisans and processors of other products related to tourism (e.g. packaging materials, cleaning products, equipment, etc.) take part, in order to provide the opportunity to expand cooperation with other sectors of the local economy, other than the agri-food sector.
The Pan-Cretan Forum is an initiative launched by the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and acquired a pan-Cretan character with the participation of the other three Chambers, has won a European award and acquired a pan-Hellenic character by being held for three consecutive years in Athens.
The 13th Pan-Cretan Forum is organized this year by the four Chambers of Crete, the Hoteliers’ Associations of Crete, and the Pan-Cretan Association of Hotel Managers, with the support and under the auspices of the Central Union of Chambers of Greece and the Region of Crete.
Joint effort to increase participation
At the press conference held at the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce, the Presidents of the four Chambers once again highlighted the desire and joint effort to increase participation, in order to multiply collaborations and benefits for both sides.
“All of us here believe that the initiative of the Chambers of Crete should serve as a model of successful cooperation for the benefit of businesses, but also consumers of the Cretan economy. We should not forget that the nutritional treasure that the island produces, together with the development and innovation of its businesses and the strong brand name of Crete, is a huge advantage that we must fully exploit. The continuous upgrading and close cooperation of producers and hoteliers will create the value chain that business needs most,” emphasized the President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Crete and President of the Chamber of Rethymno, Mr. George Giakoumakis.
Many of these meetings turn into long-term partnerships.
“It is a tried and tested and successful organization, as every year the participation is increasing from all over Crete. As the data we collect every year shows, many of these meetings turn into long-term partnerships. That is why we have repeat participants, who take advantage of the opportunity to meet in a few hours, potential partners who would have difficulty meeting under other circumstances. Also extremely important is the fact that the Pan-Cretan Forum is a clear example of syncretism, which the four Chambers have supported over time and are working to expand,” said the President of the Heraklion Chamber, Mr. Vangelis Karkanakis.
“The blessed Cretan Land and Sea have generously offered their unique nutritional wealth for centuries, such as: olive oil, cheese, wine, avocado, honey, citrus fruits, vegetables, cold cuts, fish and aromatic plants-herbs. Thus, the entrepreneurs and experienced producers of our island, with strategy and hard work, must continue to develop the Nutritional Gifts of Nature and we are obliged to contribute as much as we can and support their work. The common goal of the Chambers of Crete is to pave the way for partnerships that will be consolidated over time.” said the President of the Chamber of Chania, Mr. Antonis Rokakis.
“The Pan-Cretan Forum is a smart model for connecting the primary and tertiary sectors, the two largest pillars of our island’s economy, by bringing people in production into direct contact with those in the hospitality, catering, and trade sectors. The organization has contributed significantly over the years to strengthening the local economy, creating a communication channel that promotes excellent Cretan products in the markets, both inside and outside Greece. This initiative reinforces our strategic vision for a strong, sustainable, and self-sufficient local economy, based on the high quality of Cretan products and the connection of tourism with local production,” said the President of the Lassithi Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Thomas Charitakis.
“The Region of Crete supports the institution of the Pan-Cretan Forum and we are partners in promoting quality Cretan products. We are interested in the cooperation between the Primary and Tertiary sectors and we congratulate the Chambers for this initiative,” emphasized the Deputy Regional Governor for Entrepreneurship of Crete, Mr. Michalis Vamvoukas.
The Presidents of the four Chambers of Crete invited everyone interested to register their participation and to contact the Chamber of their Regional Unit for additional information.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
