In Nafpaktos On October 14-17 The 1st International Meeting For Alternative Tourism In Greece (Nostos Expo 2016) Was Successfully Held With The Participation Of The Network Of Cities With Lakes

On 14-17 October 2016 the 1st International Meeting for Alternative Tourism in Greece (Nostos Expo 2016) was successfully held in the city of Nafpaktos, where the Network of Cities with Lakes had an active participation. The exhibition was held at a specially shaped area and among exhibitors there were Regions, Municipalities, Chambers, Development Agencies, but also companies operating in the tourism sector and in particular in the alternative forms of tourism.

In the day of the exhibition opening, government representatives, representatives from national and local stakeholders in the tourism industry, exhibitors and other guests who were present, visited the exhibition booth of the Network of Cities with Lakes and were informed about the aim and the actions of the Network and also about the growth potential of alternative forms of tourism in the lakes and the lakeside areas of its members.

During the conference section of the exchibition, the speakers mainly focused on the need to give emphasis on the alternative forms of tourism with expected goal the elongation of the tourism season. In this context, the President of the Network of Cities with Lakes, Mr. George Kapentzonis made a speech entitled «The lakes and the lakeside areas of the Network Members as a tourist destination«, he also had a brief interview with Hellenic Radio-Television (ERT).

Moreover, during the second and third day of the exhibition, scheduled B2b meetings of the President of the Network with tour operators from various foreign countries took place, in order to promote the Network to foreign markets and develop its partnerships.

It is important to mention that in this first tourism exhibition in Greece dedicated to alternative tourism, more than 90 exhibitors participated, hosted buyers from 9 countries had also strong presence, while the number of visitors exceeded all expectations. The exhibition was organised by the Municipality of Nafpaktos, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT), the General Secretariat of Sports, the General Secretariat of Youth and KEDE.

The Secretariat of the Network of Cities with Lakes