7th World Trails Conference

7th World Trails Conference

Paths of Greece has participated at the 7th World Trails Conference, that took place from September 26th – 29th, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. During the Conference, we have presented the Hikers Friendly Certification, made a lot of contacts, and worked on the creation of a World Trails Network – Mediterranean Hub! It is the 4 World Trails Conference that Paths of Greece has participated at, following our strong will to have Greece always at the forefront of the trails world. The 7th World Trails Conference has been organised by the World Trails Network, where Mr. Fivos Tsaravopoulos is Treasurer of the Board.

Building Sustainability in European Tourism

Building Sustainability in European Tourism

Paths of Greece presented its recommendations on the development of hiking destinations at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) “European Regional Meeting – Building Sustainability in European Tourism” that took place at Zappeion on 23-24 November 2016. During a second presentation, the hiking network developed on the island of Sifnos, called “Sifnos Trails”, was analyzed as an example of good practice on hiking destination development, as well as an example of good cooperation between Paths of Greece and the Municipality of Sifnos. Paths of Greece was invited to the Council by Green Evolution.

Presentation at the 8th Panhellenic Ecology Conference

Presentation at the 8th Panhellenic Ecology Conference

“Paths of Greece” participated at the 8th Panhellenic Ecology Convention, presenting the environmental and forestry legislation for protected areas in conjunction with the trails as a natural – cultural asset, in the direction of hiking tourism development. The presentation was given by Christina Kontaxi, a member of “Paths of Greece” and of the Greek Ecological Society. The 8th Panhellenic Ecology Convention took place in Thessaloniki between the 20th and 23rd of October 2016 at the Aristotle University installations and during the presentation the example of the proposal by “Paths of Greece” to the local authorities of Alonnisos was used, while strong skepticism concerning the treating of traditional paths and trails as building and construction projects was voiced by the scientific community: a concern that “Paths of Greece” has voiced in several occasions including its recent suggestions for the planned legislation on trail development by the Ministry of the Environment.

World Trails Conference and Friendship Trails

World Trails Conference and Friendship Trails

The World Trails Network 6th World Trails Conference took place between the 14th and 17th of October 2016 in Tottori, Japan. During the conference, which attracted participants from over 30 countries, “Paths of Greece” gave a presentation titled “Utilizing 5000 year old trails for a better future”, analyzing Greece’s potential in becoming one of the 10 leading hiking destinations worldwide. In the same spirit, during the final day of the Convention, the ceremony of the joining of M1 Kythera Trail and San’in Kaigan Geopark Trail (two trails with several similar characteristics), along the WTN “Friendship Trails” programme, also took place. This was a special event for the Japanese as Kythera M1 Trail passes in front of Roza Kasimatis house. She was the mother of Lafkadio Hern, known as Yakumo Koizumi, considered Japan’s national storyteller.

This was the second trail joining taking place in Greece, along the WTN “Friendship Trails” programme, once more an initiative by “Paths of Greece” that continues its efforts at promoting the country as a leading hiking destination, through its participation in the World Trails Network organizing committee.

Presentation at the YPERIA International Convention on Amorgos

Presentation at the YPERIA International Convention on Amorgos

“Paths of Greece” happily accepted the invitation, for a second year, to participate at the YPERIA International Convention that took place from 12 to 17 October 2016 on the island of Amorgos. Concentrating on the subject of “Ecology and Tradition – Potential for tomorrow” the presentation of “Paths of Greece”, given by Christina Kontaxi, focused on the protection of nature and the development of hiking tourism in Natura 2000 areas. During YPERIA 2016, the 7th Amorgos International Short Tourist Film Festival also took place leading to the exchange of useful information on the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage, both on Amorgos Island as well as internationally.

International Trails Symposium, Portland, USA

International Trails Symposium, Portland, USA

In May 2015, we participated at the International Trails Symposium, organised by the American Trails, in Portland (OR), USA. The theme of the Symposium was “Solutions for Success” in planning and managing sustainably a Trails project. The project hosted more than 750 participants from all USA States and from many countries around the World. Paths of Greece was invited to the Symposium in order to present the trails that were created in Greece, as well as to make a presentation. The title of our presentation was “Developing hiking trails networks within economic recession: The tools for success”. The outcomes of the Symposium are of great importance, since despite the differences amongst countries, it seems that the problems encountered by those creating trails have many common points. In the numerous presentations that took place, many specific problems were analysed and discussed. Some of the most important ones were the common use of trails from different types of users, as well as the right of access to privately owned lands. The discussions at the end of the presentations were of great importance as well, since they allowed the exchange of opinions and networking. The latter is probably the most important outcome of the Symposium. International networking helps the trail organisations to become stronger. Paths of Greece is a Committee member at the World Trails Network, which is the international platform for networking, exchange of knowledge and co-marketing strategies at an international level.

A Fair presenting the trail organisations as well as waymarking and other products took place during the Symposium.

We would like to thank the American Trails for the excellent opportunity that they gave to all of us to share our passion and to become stronger.

Research in Syros island

Research in Syros island

Towards the middle of May, we visited Syros island, following an invitation of the Tourism Counsil. The purpose of our visit was to investigate the current state of the paths in Syros, and to produce some advice regarding the enhancement of the hiking network, in order to develop hiking tourism on the island. Our visit lasted about four days. We walked many paths, mainly being guided by the excellent hiking team of Syros. Syros can definitely develop hiking tourism, more as a complementary activity than as a main one. Our advices focused mainly on the enhancement of the current signs, as well as on the development of marketing tools.

World Trails Conference in South Korea

World Trails Conference in South Korea

In January 2014, we have participated in the 4th World Trails Conference, held in Jeju island in South Korea. The Conference was organised from the World Trail Association, under the auspices of Jeju Olle foundation. Paths of Greece has been invited by the American Trails Association. In the Conference, more than 50 trail organisations from 18 countries exchanged knowledge, experiences, contacts, got connected to the academic world, organised in a universal level and decided to continue working together. We have participated in some very interesting presentations about a variety of subjects such as health and walking, trans-border co-operation, marketing of trails, organisation of local communities, quality labels etc. We have briefly presented Paths of Greece, and the projects that we are working on in Greece. As a case study, we presented Kythera Hiking, the paths of Kythera island project. At the conclusions of the Conference, the World Trails Assoociation Commitee got enlarged, and Paths of Greece is now a board member. Below you will find the map of a freezing walk that we had in the volcanic mount Halla.

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Talking about paths… in a conference!

Talking about paths… in a conference!

During the weekend from 7 to 8/12/2013, we took part in a highly interesting conference about the development of the paths of Greece. The conference was organized by the Greek-German Forum (www.grde.eu), and was held in Litochoro, in Olympus mountain. The speakers where greek and German. The Greek speakers presented the situation of hiking tourism in Greece, emphasizing on the huge potential of the country, as well as on the lack of proper organisation, knowledge and marketing skills. The German speakers represented German, Luxembourgish and European organisations. The presented very interesting elements concerning the correct development of a hiking trails network, from the clearing of the paths and the sign-posting, to marketing and tourism management. A special section was dedicated to the accessibility of the trails for people on wheelchair. We have all decided that this share of knowledge will not end with the end of the conference. Soon we will inform you about the next steps.