Meetings with the tourism agencies were carried out by the Region of Crete in the framework of the implementation of the European BRANTour Program in which it participates as a partner. BRANDTour "Building Regional Actions for New Tourism Development" is a program of the Interreg EU Framework and aims to: a) improve the capacity of stakeholders to develop tourism, and b) support national and regional tourism strategies.
The Region of Crete, having begun consultations with operators related to the tourist chain on the island (Greek National Tourism Organization, Representatives of Agencies, Agents, Tourist media etc.), held two meetings, one in the West at 7 August 2017 in the Regional Unit of the Region of Crete in Rethimno and one in Eastern Crete at 8 August 2017 in the town hall of Malia.
During the meetings, all delegates of the invited institutions intervened, articulating the needs, problems and challenges in the tourist industry in Crete. Discussions and opinions were held in relation to: the emergence of the less popular destinations of Crete, the synergies of public and private bodies, the support of local tourism SMEs, etc.
The meetings were concluded with the agreement of all for further cooperation and synergy, as mentioned: "All together we can achieve better and more results for the sustainable tourism of Crete, directly linked to the utilization of the comparative advantages of our island: climate and natural environment, historical and cultural heritage, local products, the well-known Cretan nutrition and heartfelt hospitality ".
