The Region of Crete participated in the International Tourism Exhibition REISEN & CARAVANING 2025” in Hamburg from 06 to 09 February 2025.
The presence of the Region of Crete at this exhibition was implemented in a pavilion built in collaboration with the Hellenic-German Chamber of Commerce.
There was great interest from the German public in Crete. Some of the visitors had already booked their holidays and were asking for more information. Many did not know Crete, many had not visited any Greek destination and were asking for information in order to form an opinion about their upcoming holidays, while some of them, after the first contact with our representatives, returned to the desk stating that they had finally chosen Crete and were asking for more details.
The majority of the visitors had visited some areas of Crete, were excited, had nice impressions, and wanted to visit again the destination of their pleasant memories, and were asking for information and suggestions for some other areas of Crete. Finally, some wanted to know if the island is suitable for traveling with small children and others for camping.
The Region of Crete was represented by the Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism, Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, the Regional Councillor Ms. Chrysa Makraki-Charitaki, the Head of the Department of Tourism of the Prefectural Government of Chania Mr. Emmanouil Volikakis, the Associate of the Department of Tourism of the Prefectural Government of Chania, Mr. Tasos Diamantakis, the Diplomated Tour Guide Ms. Ioanna Topalidou and the Diplomated Tour Guide Ms. Katerina Kourtidou.
The Crete Pavilion was visited by the Consul General of Hamburg, Mr. Ioannis Vikelides, and the Consul General of Cyprus, Mr. Michalis Agapiou.
Presentation of Crete as the Gastronomic Region of Europe for 2026
Within the framework of the Exhibition, two important parallel events were held with the assistance of the President of the Hamburg Cretan Association and the President of the Pan-Cretan Federation of Europe, Ms. Eftychia Saviolaki. These events were:
a) On Saturday 08-02-2025: In the special area for speeches and screenings of the exhibition, a presentation of Crete was made to the German public as the Gastronomic Region of Europe for 2026. The presentation was made by the Deputy Governor Dr. K. Kotsoglou, while Ms. E. Saviolaki and with her medical capacity, referred to the medical-hygienic dimension of the Cretan Diet. The event was coordinated by Mrs. Elisabeth Patrikiou, a well-known culinary writer and influencer in Germany, who also undertook the communication of all our actions, before, during, and after the end of them. Our presentation to the packed German audience on the stage of the exhibition was followed by Cretan dances by the Hamburg Cretan Association and then the audience was led to the Crete pavilion where they tried traditional treats.
b) On Sunday 09-02-2025: The Deputy Regional Governor of Tourism Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou and the Regional Councilor Ms. Chrysa Makraki-Charitaki attended the cutting of the pie of the Cretan Association of Hamburg in an indicative but also substantial move to strengthen the relations of the representatives of the Region of Crete with our expatriates.
The Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, regarding the Hamburg exhibition, made the following statement:
“Reisen Hamburg started as the Cinderella of our campaign in Germany, but it evolved into a Princess. A companion on this journey, the Cretan Association of Hamburg and its President Ms. Eftychia Saviolaki. At Reisen, we also had the pleasure of presenting, once again, the Gastronomic Region of Europe 2026, the jewel of Diverse Crete. Despite the crisis in Germany, we are confident that the Germans will honor us again this year, the 10.55% increase in 2024 has raised the bar very high for Crete, Everywhere!!”
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