At the 11th Patras for Europe, precision, regional improvement: "Our folks deserve far more"
– 2024-06-04 18:02:43″>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 debate 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The ministry and the government promote through programs the “green tourism” succeeding in escaping from the outdated model of mass tourism.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, deputy 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 has the RGC adapted its focus and agenda to address the unique challenges posed by recent natural disasters in Greece?
## Interview: Looking Ahead at the 11th Regional Growth Conference
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, with us is Alex Reed, a participant at this year’s Regional Growth Conference in Patras. Alex Reed, thanks for joining us.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** The 11th Regional Growth Conference is upon us. Could you tell our viewers a bit about its significance, particularly given the challenges Greece has faced recently?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. The Regional Growth Conference, or RGC, has become a crucial platform for discussing the future of Greece. [[1](https://rgc.gr/)]
This year, with the country still recovering from recent natural disasters, the conference takes on even greater importance. It’s a space where government officials, industry leaders, and experts can come together to brainstorm solutions, share best practices, and chart a path forward for regional development. RGC is about more than just talking; it’s about finding actionable solutions to real- world problems.
**Host:** The conference focuses on strengthening regional economies. Can you elaborate on some of the key issues being discussed this year?
**Alex Reed:** This year’s agenda is packed. We’ll be tackling topics like sustainable development, innovation, infrastructure development, and how to attract investment to Greece’s regions. These are complex issues, but through dialog and collaboration, we aim to generate concrete ideas that can benefit communities across the country.
**Host:** Given the conference’s history, what makes this year’s event particularly important?
**Alex Reed:** As you mentioned, the RGC has been running since 2012 and has become a key forum for regional policy discussions in Greece [[1](https://rgc.gr/)].
This year, the conference is especially important because it provides a platform for us to come together, assess the impact of the recent natural disasters, and discuss how regional development strategies can help communities rebuild and thrive in a sustainable manner.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Alex Reed. We wish you a productive conference.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you.
