Gastronomy Tours: New App Links Tourists in Greece with Local Products

A new platform and mobile application has launched in Greece that facilitates tourists and Greeks to route their way through the country and get to know producers of local culinary products.

Dubbed “Gastronomy Tours”, the new platform (www.gastronomytours.com) lists all of Greece’s producers that have facilities that are open to the public for visits. Through the new app, which was officially presented recently in Athens, tourists are able to make appointments online to visit a winery or some other point of culinary interest in any region of Greece and meet producers, have a guided tour, observe a product’s production process, sample local products (such as honey, olives, wine, beer, etc) or take part in any activities available.

“This platform has a particular value for our country since it functions as a unique promotional tool to a global audience that is interested in getting to know the destination they are visiting through authentic experiences and the people who create them,” said Alexandros Megapanos, a Greek winemaker who is behind the creation of the app.

Alexandros Megapanos, the Greek winemaker behind the “Gastronomy Tours” platform concept.

The “Gastronomy Tours” app also includes a list of gastronomy museums in Greece and a calendar of events that informs on many traditional festivals (including “panigiri” open-air local festivals and carnivals) taking place and which food and local recipes are among the highlights.

“The platform is a way to highlight Greek creativity, Greek cuisine, the way of life, and the customs of Greece, to an audience that to this day remains untapped,” Megapanos said, adding that “Gastronomy Tours” is currently focused on Greece and is expected to expand with producers from other countries.

Zacharaki: Gastronomy is a “magnet” for visitors

Also present at the event was Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki who applauded the initiative and highlighted that gastronomy is a “magnet” for someone to visit Greece and get to know extraordinary destinations and experience the warmth of the locals.

Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki.

“The culinary excellence of Greek destinations in a huge asset that makes us stand out from other destinations,” she said, adding that the new app falls in line with what the Tourism Ministry is aiming to promote through special forms of tourism.

“We are aiming to bring to the surface all the special experiences that each region offers such as gastronomy tourism, which can be harmoniously combined with agritourism and wine tourism,” the minister said and presented the ministry’s efforts in establishing visitable labels for wineries, breweries, olive mills and cheese factories.

Gerekou: Hospitality-Food-Culture strengthens the brand name ‘Greece’

On her part, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) President Angela Gerekou said the new ‘Gastronomy Tours’ app opens Greek tourism’s “kaleidoscope” of authentic experiences and reveals what the country has to offer visitors besides just sea and sun.

GNTO President Angela Gerekou.

“Initiatives such as this app gives visitors a first taste and the ‘feeling’ of this country which will lead to them becoming our best ambassadors abroad,” she said.

Gerekou added that the GNTO’s goal is to connect the country’s tourism sector with the primary and secondary sectors and with culture at all levels.

“Hospitality, when combined with food and culture, not only boosts the overall brand name ‘Greece’ but also strengthens the authentic identity of local destinations… Our priority is to highlight authentic local products along with customs and traditions… This is the only way we will create very strong local brands,” the GNTO’s president said.

A user-friendly and location-based app

Giorgos Pilpilidis, co-founder and CEO of kleesto, the travel tech company that designed the “Gastronomy Tours” platform.

The ‘Gastronomy Tours’ app is completely user-friendly and offers advanced search features through which users can find exactly what they are looking for by location, month, type of activity or product.

The app is location-based which allows users to search for the producers closest to them and also navigate to reach them.

Moreover, users of the app can receive updates on new products and also purchase products at a special price.

At the moment, some 300 local Greek producers with facilities open for visits have enrolled in the “Gastronomy Tours” platform.

Through the platform, producers can presents their facilities and services to the public; promote images of their businesses; boost their online presence; and develop their retail sales.

Tasting event

The presentation was followed by a tasting event of some of the products that can be found on the “Gastronomy Tours” app with local producers on call to answer questions and explain production procedures.

“Gastronomy Tours” is supported by social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) to encourage interaction between followers and for them to spread the word.

The “Gastronomy Tours” platform has been designed by travel tech company kleesto.