US Market ‘Gets a Taste’ of Ionian Islands’ Culinary Offerings

Travelers and tourism professionals watching Tassos Andriotis cooking during the live demonstrations. Photo source: Ionian Islands Region

The Ionian Islands Region aims to boost its tourism appeal to high-end travelers from the United States by showcasing its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and exceptional gastronomy.

As part of this initiative, the regional authority participated for the first time in the New York Travel & Adventure Show 2025 in Manhattan in late January and organized culinary events in the city, highlighting local recipes with fresh ingredients from the Ionian Islands.

“Our tourism promotion strategy focuses on outward growth,” said Ionian Islands Governor Giannis Trepeklis. “Beyond maintaining our strong position in traditional markets such as the UK and Italy, we aim to expand into new, dynamic markets like the US, which attracts visitors with strong purchasing power.”

Governor Trepeklis sees key opportunity in US Market

Photo source: Ionian Islands Region

According to Trepeklis, the New York Travel & Adventure Show was a key opportunity for the Region to tap into the American market, showcasing the Ionian Islands’ gastronomy and diverse tourism offerings to an international audience.

“We showcased our natural wealth, our greenery, our turquoise waters, our culture — which is regarded as top-tier, not only for the Ionian Islands but also for our country — as well as our traditional cuisine, which is considered high-level gastronomy,” the governor said, highlighting the region’s unique advantages.

The Ionian Islands were the sole Greek participants at the New York Travel & Adventure Show, held on January 25-26, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The event attracted travel enthusiasts eager to explore diverse vacation options.

At the region’s pavilion, Corfu Chefs Club President Tassos Andriotis introduced travelers and tourism professionals to Ionian cuisine through live cooking demonstrations of local delicacies. Visitors enjoyed a full culinary experience featuring Graviera cheese from Kefalonia, Corfu’s olive oil and kumquat, Zakynthos’ signature mandolata desserts, and a selection of local wines.

More culinary events

Greek Consul General Ifigenia Kanara and Ionian Islands Governor Ioannis Trepeklis, along with representatives of Greek hoteliers and tour operators, at the Consulate General of Greece in New York. Photo source: Ionian Islands Region

The final phase of the Ionian Islands’ U.S. gastronomy promotion included a dinner at Molos NJ restaurant in New Jersey and a lunch at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, where guests were introduced to the region’s distinctive flavors.

The New York Travel & Adventure Show is the city’s premier travel event, held annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The 2025 show featured over 550 top destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, and travel providers from around the world. Attendees had the opportunity to meet travel experts, attend seminars, and discover the latest vacation options.