Greece to Promote its ‘Hidden Treasures’ through EU ‘EDEN’ Project

Greece is exploring ways to promote its “destinations of excellence” and sustainable tourism through the European Commission’s “European Destinations of Excellence” (EDEN) project. Greece’s EDEN “destinations of excellence” are Florina, Grevena, Lesvos, Serres, Delphi and Marathonas.

In a meeting held in Athens on Friday at the Tourism Ministry, Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and Thessaloniki’s Regional Vice Governor Voula Patoulidou discussed actions to promote Greece’s EDEN destinations both locally and globally.

Ms. Patoulidou has been selected as a national Ambassador to the EDEN project to promote the awarded Greek destinations both in Greece and abroad.

The role of EDEN Ambassador is to bring out the message: “Europe is full of hidden treasures that are worth being discovered” and to promote the idea of “a healthy, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism lifestyle”.

The EDEN project was launched in 2007 by the European Commission to promote emerging destinations and sustainable tourism. It involves an annual competition to select an emerging tourism “destination of excellence” in each participating country – based on commitment to social, cultural and environmental sustainability.

Ms Patoulidou is an Olympic gold medalist with a significant contribution to the global promotion of Greece and an active contribution to the political and social life of the country.