Deputy Minister of Tourism Anna Karamanli at the 9th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Anna Karamanli, participated in the 9th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism, held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
In her speech, Ms. Karamanli highlighted the strong ties between wine and Greek culture, emphasizing: “…Wine Tourism in Greece is not simply an alternative form of tourism, but a strategic tool for sustainable development… it contributes to the diversification of the tourism product and extends the tourism season, increasing year-round visitation. It supports the sustainability and resilience of local economies, attracts high-income visitors seeking quality experiences, enhances the international profile of Greek wine production, while at the same time preserving and promoting the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the country…”.
She went on to present the Ministry’s broad framework of institutional initiatives, highlighting key actions such as:
- the “Visitable Winery” Label by the Ministry of Tourism,
- the National Wine Tourism Council,
- and the innovative project “Agrotourism and Gastronomy,” funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which, as she noted, “…will operate as a National Thematic Promotion and Marketing Organization for gastronomy and agrotourism at both national and international level…”.
Ms. Karamanli also underlined the importance of collaboration: “…the development of wine tourism in Greece is based on multi-level coordination and cooperation, bringing together the public sector, local authorities, the private sector, and the academic community…”.
Referring to the role of international organizations such as UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization, she stressed that they enhance international visibility, recognition, and technical support in cross-country collaborations. She also highlighted Greece’s participation – through the Ministry of Culture – in the Iter Vitis Route of the Council of Europe, which connects 23 countries and showcases wine as an integral part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
