Greek Gastronomy Takes Center Stage

By George Drakopoulos, Director General, SETE

Since its foundation, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) undertakes initiatives for the quality improvement of the products and services tourism portfolio of our country. The development of the study “Gastronomy in the marketing menu of Greek tourism” in 2009 is included in this effort.

George Drakopoulos, Director General, SETE

The latest developments in the Greek economy have highlighted the key role of tourism for its recovery and all tourism professionals are called to take action. Therefore, SETE launched a communication campaign aiming to find financial resources to support its implementation.

Gastronomy is not coming forth by chance. It was chosen over other alternative products mainly because the product, good Greek food and wine, already exists. Consequently, major investments in facilities and equipment are not required for its implementation, but relatively small investments in marketing activities.

Gastronomy does not only touch hoteliers and restaurateurs, but everyone involved in the production and distribution of gourmet products in our country, thus linking the tertiary to the primary sector.

The ultimate goal of the project is for gastronomy, over the next years, to be one of the first three reasons tourists from Greece and abroad choose the country as a holiday destination.

A three-year term plan has been designed with three actions: the composition of a culinary portfolio, the development of a gourmet brand and the setting up of a communication program.

To implement the first phase of the project and compose a culinary portfolio with extensive research and verification, SETE has set a target to collect 200,000 euros through sponsorship, by spring of 2013.

Therefore, SETE is inviting small and large businesses associated, directly or indirectly, with tourism and gastronomy, to invest in a market that offers great growth potential. To see this initiative strategically and each place their own business on the map entitled Greek gastronomy and tourism. We are requesting for them to invest in the future, while investing in a dynamic alliance of the private sector.

For further information on the project please contact Danae Salepoula, Fundraising Coordinator, SETE Gastronomy Project, at salepoula@sete.gr.