GNTO Promotes Evia’s Gastronomy, Skiathos’ Hiking Routes to Markets Abroad

Presentation of a traditional recipe at an organic farm in Kymi to the crew of Spanish show “Aquí la Tierra”. Photo source: GNTO

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is ramping up efforts to showcase the special tourism offerings of Evia and Skiathos and boost arrivals to both destinations.

As part of its focused approach, the organization recently launched targeted initiatives to highlight the unique appeal of the two Greek destinations to international audiences.

In one effort, the gastronomy of Evia took center stage on a popular Spanish TV show, enticing viewers with its culinary delights. Meanwhile, Skiathos’ scenic hiking routes were introduced to Belgian travelers, offering them an exciting experience amidst the island’s landscapes.

Evia’s gastronomy attracts over 1.3 million Spanish viewers

Chef Tasos Pastourmas presents shellfish and seafood dishes in Chalkida to the Spanish television crew. Photo source: GNTO

At the invitation of the GNTO’s branch in Spain, the production team of the Spanish TV show “Aquí la Tierra” recently filmed Evia’s local delicacies and recipes for a three-episode feature.

The ‘Aquí la tierra’ show explores new destinations around the world to uncover the culture and gastronomy of different destinations.

During their stay on Evia, the show’s reporters filmed the preparation of local desserts in Nea Artaki. They also visited an organic fig farm in Kymi, where they learned about the production of the fruit and its use in recipes, before heading to the docks in Halkida just as fishing boats were arriving to deliver fresh shellfish and seafood. Later, the show’s camera got to film local chef Tasos Pastourmas as he prepared various versions of traditional Euboean seafood dishes.

The trip to Evia was organized in cooperation with the Region of Central Greece and its tourism organization.

According to the GNTO, the show’s first episode dedicated to Evia aired on April 29 on Spain’s national television, captivating over 1.3 million viewers and achieving a remarkable viewership of up to 12.4 percent.

Belgians get to know hiking routes of Skiathos

The mayor of Skiathos, Thanasis Tzoumas, the ambassador of Greece to Belgium, Sofia Grammata, the head of the EOT Service of the Netherlands, Kyriaki Boulasidou, the deputy mayor of Skiathos, Alexandros Efstathiou, and the deputy head of the Netherlands GNTO Branch, Angela Tzifa. Photo source: GNTO

To further promote Skiathos’ hiking routes as well as the island’s culture, culinary experiences, and accessibility, the GNTO’s branch in the Netherlands collaborated with the Skiathos Municipality to organize a special event at the Greek Embassy in Brussels. The initiative came in response to findings from the Association of Belgian Travel Organizers (ABTO), which revealed that approximately 30 percent of Belgian travelers view Skiathos as a hotspot for hiking tourism, drawn by its wide range of hiking routes and trails.

The GNTO’s event attracted attention from leading tourism professionals and journalists, who expressed keen interest in the island and its potential for hiking tourism.

Moreover, based on feedback from tour operators, this year’s bookings from Belgium and the Netherlands to Greece have already shown a six percent rise, placing the country among the top five destinations for both Belgian and Dutch tourists in 2024, according to the GNTO.