2nd training seminar for professionals involved in tourism, held at Omalos plateau

The second training seminar for professionals involved in tourism took place in the 31st of March and the 1st of April, 2018 at the Environmental Information Center of Samaria National Park, in Xyloskalo, Omalos Plateau.

The Seminar was organized by the Natural History Museum of Crete (University of Crete) with the support of the Samaria National Park Management Body. It aimed to improve the capacity of tourism professionals (mountain and tour guides, apartment owners etc.) on simplifying the notion of the contribution of biodiversity and ecosystem services to the human well-being and sharing it with tourists and visitors in NATURA 2000 sites in Crete.

It included a series of speeches on the NATURA2000 network, the natural environment of Lefka Ori area and Crete in general and the ongoing efforts to protect it by promoting mild, environmental-friendly tourism. Also, emphasis was placed on efforts to improve the tourist model saving valuable natural resources such as water. The second day of the seminar featured visits to various points of natural and cultural interest on the Omalos plateau and to enterprises in the wider region, which have been certified by the Samaria National Park Management Body.

The seminar took place in the framework of the project “The ecological services, social benefits and economic value of ecosystem services in Natura 2000 sites in Crete, Greece” [LIFE Natura2000Value Crete - LIFE13INF/GR/000188].

The seminar program and some indicative presentations can be seen below: