Pelion Villages Promoted As “Slow Tourism” Destinations

Milies is one of the most important villages of Pelion, located 28km from Volos. Vizitsa is located 30km from Volos and with a view of the Pagasitikos Gulf.

The Region of Thessaly has launched a pilot initiative to promote the cultural values of the villages of Milies and Vizitsa in Pelion, Magnesia, and establish them as “slow tourism” destinations.

“Slow tourism” is a form of tourism that allows travelers to engage more fully with communities along their route, often favoring visits to spots enjoyed by local residents rather than merely following guidebooks.

In the case of Milies and Vizitsa, the Region of Thessaly aims to promote the cultural values of both destinations to attract more visitors all year around.

To accomplish this, the region has launched the pilot initiative “Milies-Vizitsa: Station of Architecture and Tastes” that sees to offer tourists experential experiences through its main attractions: the train station in Milies village, its local architecture and local cuisine.

Team work is essential

The head of the European project SY_CULTour for Pelion, Nikolaos Pitsoulis, and the governor of the Region of Thessaly, Konstantinos Agorastos.

In order for the region’s initiative to get off the ground, cooperation must be established between the local administration, hoteliers, restaurant owners and shops.

“This cooperation could promote a single characteristic identity of Milies and Vizitsa,” Konstantinos Agorastos, the governor of the Region of Thessaly, said during a recent conference the region held in Milies entitled “The contribution of cultural values to local development.”

The conference took place within the framework of the European project SY_CULTour that includes Pelion as a pilot area.

Milies Museum

The aim of the project is to improve the management of cultural values in rural areas in order to increase their economic and social development.

Along with Pelion, other pilot areas include Crete (Greece), Idrija (Slovenia), Trentino (Italy), Zasavje (Slovenia), Regional Park Sirente Velino (Italy), Jesenice (Slovenia), Region of Pazardzhik (Bulgaria), Central Transdanubia (Hungary) and Vojvodina (Serbia).

The project is co-financed under the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Program.