Heraklion hotels and Lasithi producers build new collaborations

Hotels in Heraklion and agricultural producers from the Lasithi Plateau are forging new partnerships to bolster local produce and integrate it into the tourism sector. A recent meeting in Chersonissos, initiated by the Heraklion Hotel Association, focused on strengthening cooperation between the hotel industry and producers from the Lasithi Plateau.

This initiative is part of the association's efforts to support the agricultural and livestock production of the Lasithi Plateau and to enhance the connection between the primary sector and tourism. It also aligns with the "Crete – European Region of Gastronomy 2026" project, aiming to highlight the island's culinary identity. Spyros Balantinos, the regional vice-governor for the integration of the primary sector with tourism, virtually attended the meeting and emphasized the importance of closer collaboration between tourism and primary production, two key pillars of Crete's economy.

Representatives from the Lasithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative presented their capabilities for supplying quality local products to hotels. Products from the DICTI Dairy were also showcased, highlighting opportunities to increase the presence of Cretan production within the tourism sector. The Metaxa Hospitality Group presented its "Regenerative Agriculture for the Lasithi Plateau and its People" program, which promotes a new agro-food development model based on local production and added value for Crete.

Representatives from prominent hotel businesses, including Shotels, Stella Hotels, and Metaxa Hospitality Group, attended the event, demonstrating strong interest in expanding collaborations with local producers. The meeting facilitated a dialogue between producers and hoteliers, who jointly recognized that greater utilization of quality Cretan products in hotels can boost the local economy and enrich the tourist experience by showcasing Crete's gastronomic heritage.