GREECE - Imathia A.s.A.P. | A slow tourism product

In the context of the EU Programme Med Pearls, MAZI TRAVEL & EVENTS has created a unique Slow Tourism product, called Imathia As slow As Possible (Imathia A.s.A.P.), that will be available from the beginning of September 2022 as the Programme is still a work in progress.

Imathia A.s.A.P. offers new tourism experiences, perfectly aligned with the spirit and the values of Slow Tourism. The provided services of this new tourism product cover the four basic categories of services of a complete tourism product, i.e., transport, accommodation, nutrition, and activities. The tourism programmes are centered to the practices of sustainable growth, are thematically designed, and they consider not only the practical needs of the visitors but at the same level their emotional and spiritual demands and necessities. This way, visitors will have the chance to experience the very essence of the cultural and environmental assets that Imathia and Pieria have to offer.

Attention will be paid so that, the value adding services offered to the visitors, will finally entail to them meaningful experiences upon their lives’ time and spirit. The design of the tourism product promotes the character and the culture of Imathia and Pieria in an authentic way. 

For this product we have created 10 different packages that focus on all types of travelers, searching for new, Slow Tourism experiences. Different stay lengths, many Accommodation & Slow Mobility options and a rich variety of Activities are scheduled to satisfy even the most demanding visitor.

The 10 different packages are:

• Made in Imathia. Visit Imathia and experience the region in its entity, throughout various activities and visits the most representative of assets, the area has to over.

• History & Archaeology. The many museums and archaeological sites in the region are ready to tell the tales of Imathia to anyone willing to listen.

• Bites of Imathia. Imathia is a dreamy gastronomic destination, ready to fill your bellies and hearts with its fine culinary culture

• Mother Nature of Imathia. Emerge in the verdant scenery of Central Macedonia, from the foothills of Mt Olympus to the riversides of Aliakmon

• Religious Journey. Discover the religious paths of Imathia and Pieria that were shaped from the four religions of the regions.

• Bikes only. During your stay, transport will be made via bicycles, emphasizing a soft mobility mentality, harmless to the environment, celebrating sustainable practices.

• Ever Blossom. During their visit, guests will experience local cuisine, explore nature and heritage sites, come in close contact with nature and the local community. 

• Family Mode. Travelling families with members of all ages will dive in history, religion, culture and escape in nature with various activities.

• Team Building & Bonding. During their stay team members will bond over adventurous activities especially designed for their needs, various workshops and tours in the Imathia region.

• Wellbeing and Recreation. An offer for those who want to freshen up and regenerate, willing to re-evaluate time and their sense of it.

Imathia and Pieria are close to Thessaloniki (approx. 40 minutes by train) with less visitors but with distinct resources and elements to enhance Slow Tourism.

The regions offer a unique mix of rural areas combined with natural environments and small cities and villages with their own character and exclusive history. They present remarkable resources, in the sense of natural, cultural and intangible heritage, lots of local producers creating crafts and gastronomic products. Furthermore, there is a vast number of architectural monuments dating since Ancient Greece, with unique findings, related to historical figures such as Alexander the Great himself.

In terms of tourism infrastructure, the areas offer varied accommodation that combines both boutique hotels and smaller complexes, most of them fitting the Slow Tourism philosophy.

The area also offers visitors mobility options to help navigate inside the destination regions via eco-friendly and sustainable options such as public transport, bike renting and hiking routes.

Last, but not least, the area also offers events and activities throughout the year that are respectful in the history and culture of the territory, as well as tourism activity providers that fit the Slow Tourism principles.

 https://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/med-pearls