The 5th Pan-Cretan Tourism Conference “Cretan Hospitality” was held with great success in Sitia on Saturday, October 18, at the OIKOMUSEUM of the Municipality of Sitia.
This year’s event had as its central theme “Hospitality and Experiential Tourism” and was co-organized by the Municipality of Sitia, the Panhellenic Federation of Hotel Managers, the Sitia Development Organization and the Cretan Enterprise, while it was under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy, the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers, the Hoteliers Association of Crete, the Regional Chamber Council of Crete, the Network of Wineries of Crete, the Panhellenic Association of Hotel Managers, the PED of Crete, the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Cultural Associations and the Union of Journalists. Owners of Periodical Press.
Leading institutions and professionals of the tourism sector of Crete participated in the conference focusing on sustainable tourism development and the essence of Cretan hospitality.
The event focused on the importance of maintaining authenticity, strengthening local identity and adopting practices that respect the environment, society and cultural heritage of the island.
Particular emphasis was placed on hospitality as a key pillar of differentiation of the tourism product of Crete, but also as a means of creating a meaningful relationship with the visitor. Through innovative approaches and examples of good practices, ways were highlighted in which Crete can become a model of sustainable tourism at a national and international level.
The event was honored with their presence by the Mayor of Sitia, Mr. Giorgos Zervakis, the Member of Parliament for Lasithi of PASOK, Ms. Katerina Spyridaki, the Deputy Governor of Tourism, Dr. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, the President of the Municipal Council, Permanent Advisor for Tourism and Entrepreneurship, Ms. Maro Nikitaki, representatives of the local government, tourism organizations and private businesses.
The Mayor of Sitia, in his greeting, welcomed the guests and particularly thanked Mr. Kostas Liakakis, creator of the institution of “Cretan Hospitality”. Mr. Zervakis referred to the proposal that had been made by him about a year ago for the organization of the conference in the place that best represents experiential tourism. Concluding his greeting, the Mayor of Sitia said, “The material of the conference will strengthen the planning we have as a Municipal Authority for the place, which is always done in collaboration with the citizens, the organizations, and those involved in tourism. Because for us, synergies and collaborations are the goal that we always seek.”
