Kountoura Points to Alternative Tourism as Next Big Thing

Nafpaktos. Photo © Conudrum / Wikimedia Commons

Adventure tourism is the next big thing, according to Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, who added that tapping into new markets will take Greece one step closer to achieving the goals set for the next year.

Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura with Nafpaktos Mayor Panagiotis Loukopoulos and Deputy Mayor Yiannis Sipsas.

Referring to the first alternative tourism Nostos Expo 2016, to take place on October 14-17 in the coastal town of Nafpaktos in western Greece, Kountoura over the weekend said it is “a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s tourist wealth, highlight popular and new Greek tourist destinations as well as promote alternative tourism offerings and attract more visitors throughout the year”.

The first fair in Greece to focus on adventure tourism, the four-day event is organized by the Municipality of Nafpaktos under the auspices of the tourism ministry and will focus on proposals, presentations, seminars and workshops as well as Greek gastronomy.

Among the areas to be covered are destinations; providers active in alternative tourism services such as mountain biking, canoe, kayak, rafting, climbing, kite & wind surf, walking, hiking, sailing, skiing, snowboarding; accommodation including hotels, B&Bs, spa resorts, cottages, camping, ski centers; services such as e-travel sites, web booking; tour operators; transportation and gastronomy.

“The wider area of Nafpaktos has immense tourism potential and our goal is to promote this so as to create new sources of income and boost local economies and employment,” Minister Kountoura added.

Nostos Expo 2016 aims to promote Greece as a leading alternative tourism destination opening up a channel of communication for Greek professionals to present their products as well as contribute to the expansion of the tourism season through pre-set B2B meetings with Hosted Buyers.