At the 11th Regional Growth Conference, which takes place again this year at the Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras, critical issues concerning the future of the region of the entire country are approached.
The Conference that was held for the first time in 2012 has evolved into an institution that tackles the important challenges faced by the Greek regions. It offers the opportunity to reflect and address issues related to Greece‘s regional policy, strengthening the regional economy, stimulating growth and employment.
The discussion on upgrading the Greek tourism product in a sustainable way, which is based on the development of strategies in the hospitality industry after the end of the pandemic, was of interest. Commented on how sustainable investment can lead to sustainable regional development. Spilios Livanos, head of the Greek delegation to the CS-NATO, stated that everything around us is related to tourism.
The ministry and the government promote through programs the “green tourism” succeeding in escaping from the outdated model of mass tourism. For his part, Andreas Filias, vice regional governor of finance in the region of Western Greece, referring to the ways that can promote sustainable tourism, emphasized the uniqueness of the Western region, which is the only one that, having used European money, created digital museums that are a great attraction for tourists as well as the digital browsing program. In similar ways aimed at digital transformation, tourism in Greece can become a model at a global level.
Coordinator
Georgios Eugenidis, TV Presenter, STAR CHANNEL, Journalist “Proto Thema”
The discussion was attended by:
Spilios Livanos, head of the Greek Delegation to the CS-NATO
Andreas Filias, Deputy Regional Governor of Finance, Western Greece Region
Alexandros Angelopoulos, CEO, Aldemar
Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris, Director of IMET/EKETA
Elsa Exarchou, Managing Director, Branding Greece
Katerina Saridaki, Director of Capsule T Accelerator
Angeliki Mitropoulou, Scientific Associate of the Institute for Alternative Policies (ENA) in the fields of tourism
#Upgrading #tourism #product #sustainable
How will the conference address the unique challenges faced by different regions within Greece, considering their varying economic structures and development needs?
## Hopes and Challenges for Greece’s Regional Growth
**Today we are joined by [Guest Name], a [Guest Title] attending the 11th Regional Growth Conference at the University of Patras. Welcome!**
**Interviewer:** This conference seems to have become a vital platform for discussing Greece’s regional future. Can you tell us more about its significance?
**Guest:** Absolutely, this conference has grown tremendously since its inception in 2012 [Information circumstantial from provided text]. It’s become a crucial space for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together and tackle the unique challenges faced by Greek regions. We’re not just talking about Athens; we’re looking at the whole country and how we can foster sustainable growth in all its parts.
**Interviewer:**
The economic context for Greece hasn’t always been easy in recent years. How do you see the regional economy positioned for the future, considering Greece’s recent economic performance?
**Guest:** It’s true that Greece went through a difficult period, with a significant contraction in GDP in 2020 due to the global recession [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece)]. However, there were signs of recovery even before the pandemic, with modest growth rates seen in 2017, 2018, and 2019 [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece)].
The hope is that the lessons learned and the strategies discussed here at the Regional Growth Conference will be instrumental in building on those positive trends and ensuring a more resilient and diversified economy across Greece.
**Interviewer:** What are some key takeaways from this year’s conference that you think will be most impactful?
**Guest:** [Guest’s response based on their expertise and the focus of the conference].
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**Guest:** It was my pleasure.
