Realisation of pilot workshops on alternative sustainable tourismin the framework of the project " NETOURAL"

Pilot workshops focusing on alternative sustainable tourism were successfully held yesterday, Wednesday 29 and today, Thursday 30 November, at the headquarters of Epimorfotiki Kilkis, in Kilkis, from 15:00 to 17:00.

These workshops were organized by Hellenic Hoteliers Federation in the framework of the project "Promoting alternative tourism in the cross-border area focused on wellness and wellbeing activities, along with the promotion of quality agricultural products and foodstuff, to create employment opportunities" (NETOURAL).

The coordination of the workshops and the analysis of the individual topics was undertaken by Mr Panagiotis Georgiadis, who is a travel editor and technical consultant on accessibility issues.

In the context of the workshops, Mr Georgiadis elaborated on the concept and importance of sustainable tourism, while he analysed the potential and factors for the development of sustainable tourism at local level. In particular, the individual thematic modules presented in the framework of the Workshops were the following:

✏️ Introduction to Alternative Sustainable Tourism - Presentation of basic principles and concepts

✏️ Actions for Alternative Sustainable Tourism undertaken at local level

✏️ Analysis of the parameters that can promote the further development of alternative sustainable tourism at local level - The effects on each category of stakeholders (operators, businesses, local community)

✏️ Discussion and Exchange of Ideas

At the end of the pilot workshops, the participants had the opportunity to raise their concerns and questions regarding the conditions for the development of alternative sustainable tourism, the parameters to be taken into account and the required strategies. The factors that will contribute to networking between alternative tourism activity and local communities were also discussed and the views of the participants on sustainable tourism and its potential for development in Kilkis Regional Unit were raised. Kilkis, exploiting elements related to the natural environment (e.g. Lake Doirani, the waterfalls of Skra, Mount Paiko, the Balkan Botanical Garden of Kroussia), local gastronomy (e.g. the wineries of Goumenissa), as well as historical and religious monuments (e.g. the World War I & Battle of Skra Museum, Holy Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa).

It is noted that the objective of NETOURAL project was to create a cross-border network linking private and public actors from both countries to implement an innovative model for the design, management and promotion of market-driven, market-oriented thematic tourism products focused on wellness and well-being activities, alongside the promotion of quality agricultural products and food produced in the cross-border area.

The main beneficiary of the project was the Development Agency of Kilkis S.A, while the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (HHF), the Municipality of Konče and Association Tourist Union Strumica also participated in the partnership.

NETOURAL project was implemented in the framework of the Cross-Border Program "INTERREG IPA CBC GREECE - REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA 2014 - 2020" in the context of Priority Axis 1 "Support and Development of the Local Economy", Special Objective 1.3 “Improve the attractiveness and promote tourism in the cross-border area to enhance employment in tourism”.