A familiarisation trip with the “Chania Trails” was organised by the Region of Crete for a group of professionals in the field of experiential hiking tourism from abroad (France, Germany, the UK, Portugal).
The guests had the opportunity to experience autumn in Crete at first hand through the Chania Trails and the people who bring the island’s hinterland to life.
For a week, they travelled through the villages, the province and the countryside, experienced the genuine hospitality of the locals, and absorbed the rich experiences offered by Chania’s authentic and sustainable character.
The wineries and gastronomy of Crete, the folklore collections and local history, the archaeological museum and ancient Aptera, the olive harvest and the cauldrons, the traditional cafés and local herbs, the opportunity to explore the routes and learn about the shepherds’ way of life – and all of this, of course, via the paths that link them all together, were at the heart of the trip.
Over the coming weeks, the programme participants will draw up specialised proposals for potential visitors who will follow in their footsteps by combining hiking with exploring the hinterland and getting to know its people.
Both through organised or independent visits arranged by hiking travel agencies and through the digital and printed documentation of the hospitality provided.
The Deputy Governor of Chania, Nikos Kalogeris, and the person in charge of the event, Dimitris Michelogiannis, special adviser to the Governor, thanked those who took part in the visit, as well as the staff who showed the guests the trails and the countryside around Chania.
These initiatives will continue with a constant focus on sustainable tourism in Chania, with the next stage of the wider effort being participation in the specialist exhibition for hiking tourism and outdoor activities in Paris in January, where the findings of the familiarisation trip along the Chania Trails will be presented and assessed.
Source: newstourism.gr