The need for an integrated strategy that will organically link tourism with agri-food, catering, hospitality and culture was mentioned by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Yannis Andrianos, during his speech at the conference “Legacies 2”, which was organized in Agrinio by the Association of Hoteliers of Aitoloakarnania.
Mr. Andrianos congratulated the Hoteliers’ Association for the initiative, noting that the title “Inherited gifts” aptly captures the need for responsible use of the history, tradition, production and natural environment received by a local community, but also the responsibility to pass them on to future generations.
As the Deputy Minister stressed, Aitoloakarnania and Western Greece in general have an invaluable wealth, which combines natural beauty, a strong historical and cultural identity, significant agricultural production, quality products, tradition, but also the potential for innovation. The great challenge, according to him, is to transform this wealth into sustainable and dynamic growth, with positive results for the local economy, employment, household incomes, extroversion and quality of life.
Mr. Andrianos stressed that tourism should not be seen in isolation from production, nor should culture be seen as a mere reference to the past. Instead, it is necessary to highlight the authentic identity of each place in order to create experiences that are lasting and valuable for the visitor. In this context, he said that products such as olives, dairy, fisheries and fish products, fruit and vegetables, pulses, honey, aromatic plants, small handicrafts and local cuisine can be integrated even more organically into the overall visitor experience. As he explained, when visitors get to know a local product, taste an authentic flavor and come into contact with the person who produces it, they create a personal connection with the place and become its best ambassador.
At the same time, he pointed out that the geographical location of the region, the connection with the Ionian Sea, the roads, the ports and the airport of Aktion, create significant opportunities for integrated experiences that combine sea and mountain, history and nature, agricultural production and hospitality, gastronomy and culture.
Referring to the ministry’s policy, Mr. Andrianos noted that the government and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, are working on the one hand to effectively address emergencies that affect producers, such as livestock diseases or disasters caused by extreme weather events, and on the other hand to formulate the material and institutional prerequisites for a long-term development perspective. In this direction, he stressed the importance of the new CAP, the local LEADER programmes, support for collective schemes and producer organisations, as well as the strengthening of processing, certification, standardisation and promotion of quality Greek products.
Closing his speech, the Deputy Minister stressed that sustainable development that respects people, the environment, history and culture is not an abstract concept, but a necessary condition for young people to stay and create in their place, for producers to have a better position in the value chain and for local communities to be vibrant.
