Epaithros+ is an innovative collaborative cluster designed to connect businesses and organisations active in rural tourism. It is aimed at enterprises operating in the Greek countryside, such as accommodation providers, wineries, farms, restaurants, activity providers, small-scale producers and others.
Epaithros+ welcomes any business or organisation working to develop the Greek countryside and wishing to improve its product. The main categories include:
BUSINESSES
Accommodation: All types of tourist accommodation and guesthouses
- Food & Gastronomy: Restaurants, cafés and local food businesses
- Outdoor Activities: Alternative tourism agencies and activity providers
- Primary Sector & Processing: Wineries, farms open to visitors, small-scale producers, and manufacturers of local products
ORGANISATIONS
Institutions and Public Bodies: Protected area management units, local authorities and their enterprises, development agencies, museums and cultural institutions.
To become a member, applicants must meet specific requirements, such as:
- Being active in the countryside
- Having an active website
- Adopting environmental practices and using local produce
- Investing in staff training
- Promoting the shared “epaithros” product
- Willingness to work together with other members
Applicants must also meet the criteria set out in the membership application.
Through the cluster, members have the opportunity to:
- Turn their products and services into a destination: Showcase their identity on the Rural Greece platform to an international audience seeking not just souvenirs, but meaningful experiences.
- Join our themed routes: Join digital maps and curated routes that link their place of production with tourism, making their business instantly discoverable.
- Access free professional development tools: Strengthen their business with innovative support tools designed to boost growth.
- Network with professionals who share the same vision: Join an organised B2B collaboration network where knowledge exchange and synergies are a priority.
With Rural Greece, your business becomes part of an integrated promotional framework that showcases the destination, the experiences and the people behind them.
Via the travel platform ruralgreece.gr, your business is showcased to potential visitors through themed itineraries (wine, gastronomy, hiking, road trips) and points of interest. The network also organises joint promotional activities, produces digital content and takes part in tourism fairs.
It is the development model underpinning epaithros+, which focuses on striking a balance between environmental, social and economic sustainability. The aim is to protect natural resources, strengthen local communities and support the sustainable growth of rural businesses.
The process consists of five simple steps:
- Submission of the membership application
- Evaluation of the business or organisation based on the network’s criteria
- Registration on the platform and receipt of B2B access credentials
- Information and making the most of opportunities
- Enjoying the benefits and growing your business
Yes — networking is a key pillar of epaithros+. Through the Forum in the B2B section, members can exchange ideas and establish collaborations in real time. In addition, Local Meetings and epaithros+ events offer further opportunities for B2B networking and personal interaction.
Membership of epaithros+ is free of charge. The project is co-funded by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and National Resources through the “Competitiveness” Programme (ESPA 2021–2027), enabling members to access all services and tools at no cost.
To ensure long-term, autonomous and sustainable operation, a participatory subscription model has been designed for the future. Members will receive detailed and personalised information in due course.
Although Crete was the pilot region, the network is already expanding across the country. The aim is to promote rural tourism throughout the country!
All contact details can be found in the ‘Contact’ section of the epaithros website. We are available to answer any questions you may have.