The 6th Conference of Geoparks of Greece and Cyprus will be held in Anogia, Rethymno, from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 June 2026, a leading scientific and institutional meeting that highlights the role of UNESCO Global Geoparks, with an emphasis on sustainable development and geotourism.
With the theme “The role of geotourism and other forms of alternative tourism in the sustainable development of the hinterland and mountain communities”, the conference aims to exchange experiences and promote innovative approaches for the promotion and exploitation of natural and cultural heritage.
The Rural Tourism Cluster epaithros+ will also participate, with a relevant presentation on Thursday, June 11 at 10:45, entitled “The promotion of Psiloritis geotrails through the Rural Greece platform and the epaithros+ Cluster”. The presentation will be given by Chryssa Pagalou, General Manager of ETAM SA and Coordinator of the epaithros+ Cluster, within the framework of the first thematic section, which focuses on geotourism, alternative tourism and local products.
The presentation will focus on the role of geotrails as integrated experiences that connect the geological heritage, the natural environment and the cultural identity of the region, highlighting the importance of geotourism on the island, as well as the need for more organized and systematic information for visitors regarding the available geotrails.
In addition, the Rural Greece platform will be presented as a modern digital tool for promoting and highlighting geotrails and geotourism, which substantially enhances visitors’ access to organized content about the countryside, with thematic routes to suggestions from local businesses and points of interest. Finally, the role of the epaithros+ Cluster will be highlighted, which promotes cooperation and networking of rural stakeholders, actively contributing to the sustainable development of mountainous and rural areas and to the upgrading and diversification of the tourism product of Crete.
See more information about the conference here.
Find the detailed program of the Conference below.
The project entitled “Rural Tourism Cluster epaithros+” is being implemented within the framework of the “Research-Innovate” Action of the “Competitiveness” Operational Program of the NSRF 2021-2027 and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and National Resources.
The UNESCO Psiloritis Global Geopark is a member of the Rural Tourism Cluster epaithros+.