As part of their ongoing efforts to promote the Cretan countryside, the quality agricultural produce it grows and the Cretan diet, the Region for Crete took part, with their own stand, in the “8th International Exhibition F.RE.E. 2017”, which took place in Munich and which was dedicated to the promotion of agro-tourism and agricultural produce.
The thousands of visitors to the exhibition, are those who are already aware of the alternative tourism options, that it showcases and who attend for that precise reason. From the Cretan stand, they were informed of the unique qualities of the Cretan countryside, the advantages of the Cretan diet, but also for the traditions and history of the Island. Infact many of them mentioned that they had already planned their holidays to Crete, whilst others expressed the desire to visit, showing a keen interest in the inland areas and the countryside.
The Region had created special zones where visitors could follow videos showing the highlights of Crete’s inland treasures. They also received printed information to advertise and promote both the high quality produce grown in the fertile soil of Crete, but also the opportunities offered for alternative tourism in destinations on the Island, away from the sea and the coast.
As the Deputy for the Region and responsible for the Primary Sector, said “due to the new globalised era in which we live, a need has become visible for a new approach to travel, with the ultimate goal being the promotion of the countryside as a multi-functional idea, involving farming in the countryside, above and beyond simply being a food producing concept. Agro-tourism is something that we want to develope in Crete, which is why we are taking part in this event. We have been proved right, in that we have talked to thousands of visitors. The special features of the inland of Crete, make it an ideal choice for the type of “experience holiday” now in demand and feel that in this way, we will create the best advert for the value of the Cretan diet and our produce.
Our aim is, through our initiatives and activities, to strengthen the image of Crete internationally and to create growth tools which will result in motivating the return of young people to the countryside. We believe that the connection between the primary sector and tourism and culture is what will in the future, translate into economic growth with higher numbers of visitors to the Island, more exports, higher consumption of locally grown produce, the lengthening of the tourist season based on the alternative options of agro-tourism and ecotourism, enriched by cottage industry activities.
The International Exhibition F.RE.E 2017, was in it’s eighth year of existence this year and is considered one of the biggest exhibitions in the field of agro-tourism and agricultural produce, worldwide, with more than 122.000 visitors and the participation of 1.200 Companies from 60 Countries, who had the opportunity to show their products and services.