EUSAIR Pillar 4 Session Highlights Cultural Tourism and the Mediterranean Diet for Sustainable Development

The session, chaired by Fotis Vlachos from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, will explore how the Mediterranean Diet and the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes such as Iter Vitis, Routes of the Olive Tree, and the Historic Cafés Route can be powerful tools for boosting rural tourism and revitalizing communities. Mediterranean diet is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage and heralded as one of the healthiest diets in the world and one of the most popular diets today.

Keynote speaker Dr. Olympia Vikatou, Director General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, will present on how Greece leverages the Mediterranean Diet to strengthen local economies and preserve cultural traditions.

Panel discussions will dive into key priorities outlined in the revised EUSAIR Action Plan, including valorizing Geographical Indications (GIs) to promote rural tourism and protect cultural heritage, promoting organic farming practices to enhance biodiversity and tourism authenticity and building collaboration between tourism and agri-food sectors through thematic platforms, living labs, and innovation hubs.

Distinguished speakers include Mr. Georgios Emmanouil (DG REGIO, European Commission), Ms. Jelica Grujić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ms. Danijela Vićentijević (Serbia), Ms. Tamara Djukic (Montenegro), Mr. Afet Jashari (North Macedonia), and Mrs. Anthi Panagiotou (Greece), who will share national experiences and initiatives connecting food heritage, culture, and sustainable tourism.

The session will conclude with remarks from Senka Daniel, Pillar 4 Coordinator from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Croatia, emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation and cultural innovation in building a more resilient and attractive Adriatic-Ionian region.