In September and October the Cultural Foundation « The Routes of the Olive Tree » participated in several important events in the framework of Meetings of the European Cultural Itineraries in Athens and Karpathos (Greece), the European Day of Tourism in Brussels and the Grand Feast of Messinia, that took place in Athens…
The Cultural Foundation « The Routes of the Olive Tree », has been recognised many times as an international and European cultural itinerary and its network, with more than 145 partners nowadays and recently authorised by the Council of Europe, was invited to participate in three important meetings and conferences.
The Foundation brought up its action for the promotion of the « Routes of the Olive Tree » during the last 10 years and also presented its plans for the year 2010-2011, with special mention to the touristic valorisation of local itineraries of the « Routes of the Olive Tree », especially through the region of Peloponnese (south of Greece) and pilot programmes developed in Morocco and Lebanon.
The “Routes of the Olive Tree” attended the meeting of the European Cultural Routes on “the cultural heritage, cultural itineraries, cultural tourism, Sustainable, Cultural, Economic and Social Development, the collaborative networks and exemplary practices”, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Karpathos from the 20th to the 22nd September 2010, invited by the Karpathian Mr. Theodosis Mastrominas, ex. member of staff of European Commission
The meeting was attended by Mrs Maria Vlazaki, Director General for Antiquities of the Ministry for Culture and Tourism, Ms. Zoe Kazazaki, Head of the Directorate for International Relations of the same ministry, Mr Michel Thomas Penette, director of the Institute for European Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, Greek and foreign representatives of cultural routes, that are either recognized by the Council of Europe, or in the stage of application for recognition, as well as representatives of the local authorities.A presentation of recent developments and planning of the “Routes of the Olive Tree” took place during the meeting.
On September 27 the Foundation was in Brussels, where the European Commission brings together every year the professionals of tourism in the framework of the European Day of Tourism, for a day of conferences dedicated to European cultural itineraries as new touristic forms and strategies in Europe, and their recent integration in the heart of the new tourism practices of the European Union. In this important day were present, among others, the ministers of Culture from France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Portugal, the minister of the German-speaking community of Belgium and the European Institute of cultural itineraries chosen to present the pertinence and relevance of the Programme that has implicated the Foundation since 2005.
The Foundation was represented by our collaborator Mr. Edouard de Laubrie who participated in the 4th session under the title « Tourism, Sustainable development and network » and took the opportunity to go back to the activities and projects of the Routes of the Olive Tree regarding cultural tourism, under the theme « Routes of the Olive Tree and traditional values».
The Foundation was also present through the exhibition «Europe on the Move: cultural itineraries of the Council of Europe» installed in the building of the European Union.
This important event in the Greek capital, organised in common with the Messinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, included several actions (exhibitions, degustation, meetings, etc.)
