Experiential travel experiences in the gastronomic tourism of Imathia

"Experiential tour experiences in the gastronomic tourism of Imathia" was organized by the Development of the Prefecture of Imathia S.A. S.A. OTA - AN.IMA. S.A., on October 29 and 30, 2024, within the framework of the Transnational Cooperation Plan entitled "LOCAL TOUR" which is implemented in collaboration with 21 other Local Action Groups from Greece and Cyprus, within the framework of Sub-Measure 19.3 CLLD/LEADER, of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 and co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. A prototype experiential workshop in the prefecture of Imathia for tourism professionals and agri-food businesses evolved into organized visitable spaces. In the workshop The participants were entrepreneurs and workers in the tourism industry (catering businesses, accommodation, tourist agencies, etc.), producers of local agri-food products, tourism professionals (tour guides, travel agencies, travel bloggers, etc.), students in similar subjects.

The participants had the opportunity to identify all the advantages of the tourist experience through actions implemented in Imathia by agri-food businesses. The thematic two-day event included theoretical approaches from important speakers and practices in experiential workshops. The workshop included presentations by experts in the field of tourism and gastronomy, presentations of local food products, visits to places of production and distribution of food products, tastings and experiential gastronomic activities and experiences. The purpose of the two-day event was to educate the participants about the "honest" products of the place as well as the way of presenting them to visitors through a tourist gastronomic route.

The Local Tour program is continued by AN.IMA. S.A. and includes actions and promotional activities of gastronomic tourism.