ENERDECA II International Conference – Final Report Loutraki Almopias
31 October & 1 November 2023
Introduction and Purpose of the Event
The ENERDECA II International Conference took place in Loutraki Almopias, a location of exceptional natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and increasing tourism interest. The aim of the conference was to highlight Creative Tourism as a contemporary form of sustainable development for rural and semi-urban areas, combining cultural identity, participatory experience, local production, and innovative entrepreneurship.
Pre-Conference Day – Preparation and Orientation
On 30 October, the preparatory meeting of project partners was held at the “4 Seasons” hotel. Organisers Iordanis Kioseoglou, Nikolaos Thomaidis, and Athina Ioannidou presented the programme framework, structure, and scientific focus of the conference. Discussions centred on the philosophy of Creative Tourism as a development tool, the valorisation of local identity, and the importance of experiential engagement.
Tiago Castro from the CREATOUR network highlighted the transnational dimension of Creative Tourism and the added value of collaboration among businesses, cultural organisations, and local communities. The evening gathering served as the first substantial step towards outward-looking interaction and knowledge exchange.
Official Opening and Institutional Recognition
The first conference day opened with an official ceremony, attended by numerous institutional, political, and local representatives.
Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Dionysios Stamenitis emphasised the role of Creative Tourism as a catalyst for rural revitalisation through the interconnection of production, culture, and experience, ultimately strengthening local economies.
Members of Parliament for Pella, Georgios Karasmanis and Vasileios Lakis, referred to the emerging potential of the region as an interactive cultural and traditional destination.
The Deputy Regional Governor of Pella, Iordanis Tzamtzis, and the Mayor of Almopia, Christos Batsis, discussed the potential of Pozar Thermal Baths to serve as a model hub for cultural and thermal tourism.
The President of the Pella Development Agency (AN.PE.), Petros Zerzis, highlighted the strategic role of the agency in promoting local entrepreneurship and innovation.
Theoretical Framework and Scientific Contribution
Keynote speaker Dr. Nancy Duxbury of the University of Coimbra delivered a comprehensive analysis of Creative Tourism as a “social mechanism for reconnecting with cultural identity.” She focused on the significance of storytelling, participation, and experiential learning as vital tools for transforming both place and visitor.
This was followed by an intervention from Danijel Omerzel of Slovenia, who presented international best-practice models of Creative Tourism applied in rural communities, small towns, and cultural routes.
Showcasing Best Practices and Applied Examples
Participants from Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Slovenia shared practical models involving handicrafts, gastronomy, digital storytelling, traditional professions, creative arts, ceramics, entrepreneurial co-production, and cultural routes.
A key insight was the transition from simple presentation of tradition to the design of modern experiential engagement, where visitors no longer remain spectators but actively participate, create, and connect.
Networking Workshop and Knowledge Exchange
The afternoon networking workshop, facilitated by Tiago Castro, became a central point of collaboration among organisations, entrepreneurs, and researchers. In an environment of dialogue and strategic planning, participants developed ideas for transnational actions, European partnerships, joint cultural routes, and permanent collaboration structures.
The day concluded with a visit to Pozar Thermal Baths, where participants experienced the natural and cultural environment firsthand as a living element of Creative Tourism.
Second Day – Practical Application and Experiential Learning
The second day focused on connecting theory with real-world practice.
Ioanna Chatzikosti, representing the Deputy Ministry of Tourism of Cyprus, presented the “Heartland of Legends” programme, showcasing how stories, myths, cultural narratives, and local memory are transformed into multisensory tourism experiences.
Evangelos Kyriakou introduced the Edessa City Card Creative Network, which links culture, place, visitors, and technology, bringing destination management into the digital era.
Experiential Workshops: Creative Tourism in Practice
The experiential workshops played a decisive role in conveying the essence of the conference.
At Zin Ideos Winery, Ambassador Chef Efstathios Lazaridis guided participants in culinary creations inspired by local wine varieties, highlighting the cultural dimension of regional cuisine.
Simultaneously, at the SRC Group workshop, participants crafted handmade soaps using local natural ingredients, demonstrating how traditional skills can evolve into modern tourist products with a strong identity.
Post-Conference Partner Meeting in Edessa
The third day, hosted at the historic Parethinagogio in Edessa’s Varosi district, focused on evaluating conference outcomes, strategic planning, and defining future collaborations.
A guided tour along the “Water Road” showcased the city’s water, industrial, and historical heritage, presenting Edessa as a living example of a creative and experiential destination.
Conclusions and Outlook
ENERDECA II demonstrated that Creative Tourism is a strategic tool for upgrading rural and semi-urban areas, enabling communities not only to showcase their cultural heritage, but to reactivate, transform, and transmit it as a living experience.
The synergy of culture, technology, production, and education creates a new form of sustainable development—one that extends beyond economic benefits to foster social, educational, and cultural progress.
