As part of the 7th Lesvos Food Festival – LESVOS FOOD FEST 2026, a thematic workshop entitled “LESVOS: Tourism with Identity – Building an Authentic Destination: Connecting Natural Heritage with Gastronomy” will take place on Saturday, 11 July 2026, in Sigri, Lesvos.
The event aims to promote and strengthen Lesvos’ tourism product by connecting the island’s local identity and local production with contemporary forms of tourism, while fostering new skills and opportunities for human capital development.
Under the central theme “Lesvos – The Island as an Experience,” the workshop will highlight the potential of local gastronomy and primary production, wine tourism and agritourism, as well as the role of modern skills in shaping a sustainable and competitive tourism destination.
We kindly invite you to confirm your participation.
PROGRAMME
11:00 | Opening Remarks
Welcome addresses and brief remarks by representatives of local authorities and institutional stakeholders:
- President of GSEVEE
- Region of North Aegean
- Municipality of West Lesvos
- Municipality of Mytilene
- Lesvos Chamber of Commerce
- Molyvos Tourism Association
11:30 | Keynote Speech
Topic: Lesvos: Local Products and Alternative Forms of Tourism
Speaker: Professor Thanasis Kizos, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
12:00 | Panel Discussion
Local Product Production in Lesvos: Challenges and Opportunities for the Island’s Gastronomic Identity
- Ilias Kastrinellis, Anemotia Social Cooperative Enterprise (KOINSEP)
- Manolis Konstantidellis, Mesotopos Agricultural Cooperative
- Vagia Karinou, Antissa Agricultural Cooperative
- Eleni Pitsa, Mesotopos Women’s Cooperative
- Maria Giavasi, Parakoila Women’s Cooperative
13:00 | Coffee Break
13:30 | Panel Discussion
From Mass Tourism to Rural Tourism: Alternative Tourism Experiences and Visitor Engagement
- Anastasios Perimenis, General Director, ETAL S.A.
- Nikolaos Molvalis, Molyvos Tourism Association
- K. Protoulis, Protoulis Olive Oil – Olive Oil Tasting Experience
- Arvanitis Ouzo Museum (TBC)
- Nikolaos Zouros, Director, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
14:30 | Presentation
Topic: Initiatives for Promoting the Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark as a Contemporary Tourism Destination
14:45 | Tasting of Local Products and Wines
A tasting session featuring traditional products prepared by the women’s cooperatives of Lesvos, accompanied by a presentation and tasting of local wines.
The event aspires to become a meeting point for all stakeholders involved in gastronomy and thematic tourism, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and joint initiatives for promoting Lesvos as an authentic destination of quality.
Participation is free of charge. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register here: Registration Form
For further information:
Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
E-mail: lesvospf@otenet.gr
Tel.: +30 22510 47033, +30 22530 54434