SETE to Support Wine Tourism Initiatives

Integrating wine activities into tourism towards the creation of a comprehensive product that will bring added value to the overall Greece tourist experience, was the focus of a workshop held by the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) in Athens on Wednesday. The workshop is part of a series of events launched by SETE focused on connecting tourism with other sectors.

Under the title “Wine Meets Tourism – Linking Tourism with Wine – The Need for Innovative Cooperative Models”, the event – jointly organized by SETE and the National Inter-Professional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece (EDOAO), focused on ways for stakeholders to work together so as to establish wine tourism through joint actions and products.

The workshop brought together wine and tourism professionals, Greek tourism body representatives, ministry and regional officials, and experts.

SETE said it would support actions for the promotion of wine tourism, while Marketing Greece has already included the special interest product in its promotion of genuine Greek experiences. Meanwhile, SETE’s research division, INSETE, has already entered a memorandum of understanding with the Greek Wine Federation for training programs focusing on gastronomy and local wine production.

SETE President Yiannis Retsos.

Addressing Wednesday’s workshop, SETE President Yiannis Retsos underlined the importance of a coordinated effort among stakeholders and the need to apply an innovative model that will create experiences, which he said is “complex”.

EDOAO President Vangelis Argyris.

“Linking tourism with wine is an essential part of gastronomy tourism. It offers opportunities for emerging destinations to grow alongside established destinations, reinforcing the economic and social impact of tourism on local communities,” said Retsos, adding that at the same time, “it facilitates associating individual destinations around the common goal of providing unique and innovative experiences, and can generate significant economic and social benefits while playing an important role in preserving cultural and natural resources.”

On his part, EDOAO President Vangelis Argyris referred to the efforts being made in the last few years to promote enotourism, but underlined that production is relatively low compared to rival countries, noting among others, the need for synergies between the wine and tourism sectors.

SETE’s third workshop followed two previously held thematic events which focused on connecting tourism with the agri-food sector and culture.