Greek Tourism Ministry Promotes Visits to Wineries, Breweries, Olive Mills

Photo source: Visit Greece

Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki is spearheading an effort to promote special interest tourism in Greece with a focus on making tourist visits to the country’s wineries, breweries, cheese factories and olive mills possible.

The aim, she said, is to promote Greek products and to link special interest tourism options and hospitality with farming and local production.

In order to ensure a set of criteria are met, the tourism and agriculture ministries have opened to public consultation (through to September 2) the specifications and framework which will make olive mill visits possible.

Italian travel agents visiting an olive oil extraction plant in Arcadia. Photo source: GNTO

Authorities hope to collect feedback by stakeholders and olive oil producers that will be included in the formulation of a special seal indicating which mills are visitable.

The new specialized seals for destinations and enterprises will also apply to breweries (already tabled), wineries, cheese factories, hotels offering pet-friendly services and businesses running glamping services.

The “Visitable Olive Mill Seal” (Greek version).

Once finalized, the “Visitable Olive Mill Seal” will certify that olive mills meet specific standards and produce extra virgin olive oil. Enterprises awarded the seal will also be able to provide guided tours, hospitality, tasting and event services.

The seals, Zacharaki said, will help enterprises boost revenues and at the same time enhance the visitor experience.

“We are taking targeted actions that interconnect the primary sector and Greek production with the hospitality industry, strengthen our tourist product and extend the tourist season, giving impetus to special forms of tourism 12 months a year,” said Zacharaki.

Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki.

“At the same time, we are supporting the distinct identity of Greek products that make them unique worldwide and are promoting the extroversion of the agri-food industry, boosting the income of both our farmers and of small and medium-sized Greek businesses.”

Lastly, Zacharaki announced that 17.2 million euros in RRF funds had been allocated towards the establishment of an agritourism and culinary tourism network in Greece (AGTIS), complete with digital platforms, maps, applications, branding and marketing actions, offering new, authentic experiences for travelers visiting Greece.