Kythera Trails Kythera Trails are Platinum!

The Kythera Trails tourism development programme of Kythera has been awarded the top platinum distinction at the Greek Tourism Awards 2022, in the whole ‘Sustainability’ section.

The award ceremony took place yesterday, Monday 9 May, at the Foundation of the Hellenic World with a glittering ceremony, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki and the Deputy Minister of Research and Technology Christos Dimas. In this ninth edition, with more nominations than any other year, the most innovative and pioneering initiatives of the sector were rewarded.

The nomination entitled ‘Kythera Trails - innovations & green infrastructure for sustainable tourism development’ won not only the gold award in the subcategory ‘Sustainable Tourism Development’, but also the platinum award in the entire Sustainability section. Kythera Trails is now among the 13 top Greek tourism initiatives that have won platinum awards in their categories for the year 2022. In addition, the project was also awarded the bronze award in the sports & adventure destination category.

The nomination dossiers were submitted by the Kythera Foundation for Culture & Development (KIPA) and these awards are an important distinction for all the partners of the project: the Municipality of Kythera, the Property Committee of Kythera and Antikythera and the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA). The evaluation was carried out through an online system by a group of independent judges.
The awards were received by all project partners as a group on stage, with a special mention of each organisation. In his greetings George P. Kasimatis, President of KIPA, referred to the teamwork that has been done in Kythera in recent years and dedicated the award to all Kytherians. The Mayor of Kythera, Stratos Harhalakis, referred to Kythera as a symbol and a ‘real utopia’, inviting all those present to Kythera. Professor Giorgos Kasimatis, founder and honorary president of KIPA, was moved to say that his vision is becoming a reality for the benefit of the Kythyrian society.
The platinum nomination was based on all the work of the last few years, with milestones such as the development of an integrated network of trails, the INCREAte approach of MedINA, the certification of Green Flag Trails, the scientific recording and ethnographic research for the thematic identity of the trails and the reconstruction of 26 micro-barriers in the Karava gully to highlight the traditional and sustainable management of water resources.

As Alexandros Angelopoulos, chairman of the jury of the awards, said about the event, «The Tourism Awards have a unique value because they are a reward for the professionals of the wider hospitality industry from the professionals of the industry. Without competitive filters and blinkers, we recognise the work and efforts of our colleagues and place the hospitality economy where it really is, at the top of the economic life of the country.».

More Info & Links

Kythera Trails: the Kythera Trails is the official network of Kythera trails, with 11 routes of a total length of 100 km. Our vision is to preserve and enrich the natural and cultural heritage of the island, contributing to the well-being of the local community. Visit us.

The programme is supported and implemented by the Kythera Foundation for Culture and Development (K.I.P.A.) in cooperation with the Municipality of Kythera & Antikythera, the Property Committee of Kythera & Antikythera, and the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA).