PRESS RELEASE
UNESCO WORLD GEOPARK VIKOS-AOOS: NETWORK OF COOPERATING BUSINESSES
AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ZAGORI
The Development of the Continent
AE-Development SA (Municipal Enterprise), in collaboration with the Municipality of Zagori, organised the
Monday afternoon, 13/7/2020, at the Monodendri Open-Air Theatre «Angelos
»Kitsos" information event for tourism entrepreneurs, but also
in general all active citizens of the area with the aim of
collaboration and participation in the joint promotion of
UNESCO Vikos-Aoos Global Geopark.
At the event
The Mayor of Zagori, Mr.
Soukivelos Georgios and Deputy Mayor Mr. Tsaparis Ioannis, the presidents and
members of the Zagori Tourism Enterprises Association, the Tourism Enterprises Association
Monodendri and the Papigo Association of Professionals, as well as others
professionals and residents of Zagori as well as neighbouring areas such as
Metsovo and Nestorio, Kastoria. Mayor Mr. Soukouvelos opened the
event with a brief greeting and concisely referred to the difficulties that
in the efforts facing local businesses due to the pandemic
support of the Municipality towards them, as well as in the continuous cooperation with the
Epirus S.A. for the development and promotion of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark as well as of the
Municipality of Zagori generally.
From
the Continent
AE,
Board members Ms. Rokkou Eleni and Mr. Exarchou attended.
Elsa, as well as executives Georgia Kitsaki, Aristotelis Stagikas and Charitakis
Papaioannou, who in collaboration with
LIME representative
Technology
IKE
Mr. Christos Bellow presented the first part of the event regarding the project
THEME,
which is implemented within the framework of the INTERREG Greece-Albania Programme
2014-2020. One of the project's actions, which has already been completed, concerns the
design and development of three themed routes, with varied objects
which relate to culture, health-wellbeing and local produce, as well as
geology, the path of which develops cyclically and includes the entire
the Vikos-Aoos Geopark area. Their presentation is given with the
leveraging new technologies, «smart tools», such as mobile phone applications, which are
already in operation. The pioneering element in this case, beyond
the presentation of the area, lies also in the possibility of interaction of the
businesses and users-visitors through a game (gamification) that awards virtual
and physical rewards, which those interested will be able to register
businesses.
In the second part of
event, the executives of EPEIROS S.A.
they developed the idea, as well as the way in which it can
achieved the active and voluntary participation of the local community in
promotion, advancement and development of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark. This is
activation through the establishment of two Networks: the Volunteer Network and the Network
Co-operating Businesses of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark, whose aim is to
mobilisation of civil society and the business community and
their involvement in the sustainable development of the region in accordance with the principles of
UNESCO Global Geoparks.
This particular event marked
the beginning of the creation of the two Networks. Already through the website of
Vikos-Aoos Geopark, interested parties can register with the Network.
Volunteers and in the Network of Cooperating Businesses. EPEIROS SA, as the body
management of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark, will schedule further meetings with
the members of the Networks during which they will be jointly drawn up
Operating guidelines for networks.
Epirus S.A. intends
to organise corresponding events and initiatives, concerning
Vikos-Aoos Geopark in the Konitsa region, in co-operation with the Municipality
Konitsa in the near future.
