In recent years, Messinia has been building an institution that has evolved from a local initiative into a strong point of reference for tourism, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The MESSINIA FORUM started in 2023 in Kalamata as an initiative of the Messinia Catering Professionals Association, aiming to provide a space for people in the region to network, get informed, and share ideas. The need for collaboration, education, and a common strategy for the regions tourism identity is more relevant today than ever.
Giannis Kolovos, President of the SMP and of the MESSINIA FORUM Organizing Committee, states to Tornos News that the MESSINIA FORUM, with the support of the SMP, is a real opportunity to broaden our horizons and lead Messinia to greater outward orientation. The Forums core philosophy is that sustainable tourism is not limited to a narrative around sun and sea. It requires connecting tradition, the primary sector, gastronomy, hospitality, and experiences into a coherent model centered on people.
The first three editions, from 2023 to 2025, shaped a framework of activities including workshops, presentations, exhibitions, and participatory discussions. Networking among professionals from different sectors created substantial synergies. Through this process, the platform experienceskalamata.com was born, highlighting the regions authentic experiences: visits to local producers, gastronomic routes, nature activities, and cultural proposals that strengthen Messinias identity. Interest in experiential travel and gastronomic tourism is steadily increasing, placing Messinia on the map of alternative Greek destinations.
For 2026, the MESSINIA FORUM is scheduled for April 24, 25, and 26 at the Kalamata Dance Hall, under the theme Messinia 365 Beyond Limits, Building Skills for the Future. The topics focus on the skills of tomorrow, sustainable resource utilization, and enhancing outward orientation. Participants will include tourism organizations, professional associations, foreign policy organizations, development networks, universities, and representatives of culture. The fourth year presents a clear objective: to transform local energy into action with measurable impact.
Mr. Kolovos emphasizes that through the Forum, businesses, farmers, tourism and trade professionals have been given the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, showcase best practices, and highlight our local products and culture. This interaction is not limited to discussions but translates into practical collaborations and new initiatives that strengthen the local economy.
At a time when competition for travelers attention is more intense than ever, Messinia is investing in connecting tourism with education, technology, production, and gastronomy. The MESSINIA FORUM thus operates as a living laboratory of ideas and initiatives that provide answers to todays needs.
Mr. Kolovos points out to Tornos News that the MESSINIA FORUM is not just an event. It is an invitation for collaboration, for unity, and for creation. It is the platform that helps us make Messinia more dynamic, more competitive, and above all more outward-looking.
The question is no longer whether Messinia can evolve, but through which steps it will leverage its potential. The FORUM shows that when organizations and local forces share a common vision, development ceases to be theory and becomes practice.
