TRAVEL WEST FORUM, a leading and innovative conference on tourism in Western Greece, now firmly established, returns for its third consecutive year in May 2026, expanding its scope with the aim of exploring how the wider region of Western Greece can serve as a hub for alternative tourism.
The third edition of the conference focuses on critical issues such as sustainable practices, infrastructure development, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, examining them within the framework of a long-term and coherent policy, and highlighting the need for a unified and strategic approach to guide the future of tourism in the region.
The conference is organized by thebest.gr, the largest news media portal in Western Greece, with the participation of the Administrative Region of Western Greece, co-organized by the Chamber of Achaia, in collaboration with the Port Authority of Patras and held under the auspices of the University of Patras.
QUEST TOPIC 2026 - BUSINESS
LIVE STREAMINGROYAL, PATRA
8.05.2026
8
sections
39
speakers
SPONSORS
GOLDEN SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
FRAMEWORK
The cultural heritage and natural features of the Region of Western Greece (extensive coastline, blue flags, nearby islands, nature), as well as its historical position as a cradle of creation, a stronghold of development, and outward orientation for the country (site of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, Olympic Games, etc.), form a mosaic that can serve as the foundation for alternative forms of tourism (such as cultural, maritime, wine tourism, sports, conference, religious, agritourism), offering benefits in terms of extending the tourist season and positioning the region correctly as a new tourist market within the high- spending, alternative international tourist market.
PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
The purpose of the Conference is to highlight the advantages of the Region of Western Greece (starting with Achaia) in areas related to tourism, as well as to:
a.
Discuss the modern, alternative, mild, sustainable approach to tourism and the new image that the region could project through strong marketing.
b.
Explore the significance of tourism to the Region of Western Greece's economy and business development in tourism-related sectors.
c.
Present good examples for the area's tourism development and new proposals and approaches.
d.
The Travel West Forum aims to serve as an ideal platform for exchanging views among stakeholders and to strengthen the spirit of cooperation.
SPEAKERS
Confirmed so far
Items list
Program
10:00
Arrival - Registrations
10:35
Opening
Welcome to the 3rd Travel West Forum
10:40 - 11:20
Greetings - Speeches
George Papandreou | Former Prime Minister, Honorary President of the Socialist International, PASOK MP for Achaia
Apostolos Tzitzikostas | European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism*
George Kotsiras | Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance
Iasonas Fotilas| Deputy Minister of Culture
Dimitrios Mantzos | State MP, Parliamentary Representative of PASOK-KINAL
Manolis Christodoulakis | PASOK-KINAL MP
Gabriel Sakellaridis| Secretary of the Central Committee of Nea Aristera
Dionysis Temboneras | Lawyer, Member of the Central Committee / Political Secretariat of SYRIZA-PS
Christos Bouras | Rector of the University of Patras
Theodoros Louloudis | President of the Achaia Chamber of Commerce
Nektarios Farmakis | Regional Governor of Western Greece: Official Opening of the Conference
Nikos Aliagas | Journalist - Ambassador of the Municipality of Messolonghi*
“200 YEARS SINCE THE EXODUS OF MESSOLONGHI”.
11:55 – 12.25
“Western Greece 2040 - The future of tourism in Western Greece - Its position on the global map - Sustainable development strategies”.
- Angela Varela | President of the Greek National Tourism Organization
“Western Greece: A synthesis of sustainable tourism offerings”. - Pan. Sakellaropoulos | Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism
“Rediscovering Western Greece - From a transit destination to a destination of choice”. - Apostolos Rafailidis | Head of the Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras
“30 years from today: knowledge and education in tourism in Greece”.
12:30 - 13:00
Transport and Tourism: Connectivity, accessibility and destination development
- Sofia Stamou | Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs, OLYMPIA ODOS S.A.
“Olympia Odos beyond mobility. Infrastructure with tourism value, connecting experiences and culture”. - George Tsiris | Board Member, Patras Port Authority
“Sea Connections and Tourism Development: The Catalytic Role of the Port of Patras”. - Eleni Parashi | Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras
“Air Connectivity and Tourism: Patras as a Gateway to Western Greece”.
13:05 – 13:35
Storytelling in tourism: The aesthetics of place - Image, space, feeling as tools for development
- Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos | CEO, Coffee Island
“Building stories through the product - How a product becomes a destination experience - Local identity and international brand experience in tourism”. - George Sarlis | Cultural Manager, International Relations Expert, European Funding Consultant - Co-founder of MOSAIC // CULTURE & CREATIVITY
“MARKATOPOS - An initiative for the cultural and tourism promotion of the Markato neighborhood”. - Dimitris Fakalos | Fakalos Catering, De_Tales Elevated Rentals
“Creating unforgettable moments - The hospitality experience through events - The role of catering in modern tourism”. - Anastasia Gadoulou | Director of the Museum of Thessaloniki
“The Road to the West: From Homer to Cervantes”. The dynamics of cultural routes in archaeological sites and monuments as a tool for sustainable and creative cultural tourism”.
13:40 - 14:10
Alternative tourism routes in Western Greece - Wine tourism and culinary tourism
- Anni Iliopoulou | Chairwoman of Desmi Publishing - Creator of the “Golden Chef’s Hats” Gastronomy Awards
“The charm of gastronomy - The strongest ‘asset’ for the promotion of a travel destination”. - Andreas Karapanos | Chef Adjoint at Le Louis XV, 3 Michelin stars*
“The role of local cuisine and its dynamic as a means of expressing our culture”. - Grigoris Filippatos | Gastronomy Critic
“From consumption to memory and the identity of place. Greek - local cuisine. The unknown hidden weapon of tourism”. - Periklis Baltas | Vice President of the Board of Achaia Clauss - President of the Historical Archive of Achaia Clauss
“Wine tourism and place identity - From the vineyard to the visitor: Achaia Clauss as a place of multifaceted wine and cultural experience”.
14:10 - 15:10
Lunch Break
15:10 – 15:30
Small municipalities, great potential in tourism - Utilizing nature as a tourism advantage
- Thodoros Baris | Mayor of Erymanthos
“The Municipality of Erymanthos as a model of sustainable mountain destination: identity, strategy, perspective”. - Eleni Christodoulopoulou | Appointed Municipal Councilor for Culture, Municipality of Erymanthos
“Erymanthos: Discovering the unknown treasure of Western Greece”. - Olga Matsagga | Member of the organizing committee of the Chalandritsa Agricultural Exhibition “Agrexa”
“AgreXa: The long-standing institution connecting local production, culture and tourism”.
15:35 – 16:00
Smart tourism: AI and tourism - Digital transformation in the tertiary sector and sustainable infrastructure - The new travel experience
- Andreas Andrianopoulos | Founder of Patras Broadband
“Lesson learned - The modern visitor may forgive a small room… but not bad Wi-Fi”. - George Efstratiadis | Founder & CEO, Nooblabs AI
“Digital Survival: Why simple travel processing is doomed because of AI”. - Maria Konstantoglou | Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras
“The role of data in tourism governance. Towards a sustainable, resilient coastal tourism model in Greece and Mediterranean countries”.
16:05 – 16:30
Hospitality: The hotel of today and tomorrow - Smart hotels & smart experiences - Real estate, short-term rentals - The new hospitality economy
- Ilias Mentzelopoulos | Chairman of the Board, “Mentzelopoulos Hotels S.A.” / Owner of the “Astir Patras” hotel
“From check-in to check-out - The urban hotel of tomorrow - New trends in city hotels - The holistic approach to the modern visitor”. - Thanos Douros | Operating Principal, Keller Williams West
“Real Estate & Tourism: The transition from simple ownership to strategic high-yield exploitation”. - Andreas Moschopoulos | Property Consultant - AV Properties
“Airbnb as a business - Strategies for maximum performance - How we create value in short-term rentals in Western Greece”.
16:35 – 17:05
Tourism, economy and markets: What works in practice and where demand is heading – The example of Nafpaktos
- Vasilis Gizas | Mayor of Nafpaktos
“Nafpaktos: From a strong destination to a model of sustainable development - Upgrading an already successful destination”. - George Pappas | President of the Economic Chamber of Northwestern Peloponnese and Western Greece
“Tourism as a driver of economic growth - Investments and development in the sector”. - Lavrentis Vasileiadis | Head of the Directorate of Education, Culture, Sports, Tourism & Employment, Region of Western Greece
- Nikolaos Theocharis | Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras
“The prospect of organizing a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Greece: Economic and tourism dimensions”.
17:10
End of Conference
Presentation
Natasa Patrinou | Journalist
Session Moderation
Giota Kontogeorgopoulou | Journalist
Pepi Spiliotopoulou | Journalist
Flash Interview
Konstantina Tsichla | Journalist
*Virtual
VIDEOS - GALLERY
Flash Interviews Recap
TWF - Full Film
TWF - Short Film
TWF 2025-The whole Conference (from live streaming)
Flash Interviews Recap
TWF-Recap Trailer Short
TWF-Recap Trailer Long
TWF 2024-The whole Conference (from live streaming)
ORGANIZERS
ORGANIZER
PARTICIPATION
UNDER THE AUSPICES
VENUE
