Last Friday (July 24), the Heraklion Hotel Association brought together hoteliers and farmers from the Lasithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative for what turned out to be a pretty productive meeting in Hersonissos.
The initiative forms part of the Association’s ongoing support for Lasithi’s farming and livestock communities while advancing the goals of the Crete European Region of Gastronomy 2026 program.
The event also featured a virtual address by Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism and Primary Sector Integration Spyros Balantinos, who described closer cooperation between tourism and agriculture as essential to the future of Crete’s economy.
Manolis Krasanakis, director of the Lasithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative, presented the cooperative’s production capacity alongside local farmers, highlighting a wide range of fresh produce and dairy products from the DIKTI cheese dairy that could be supplied directly to hotels.
Another highlight was a presentation by Metaxa Hospitality Group on its regenerative agriculture initiative, Regenerative Agriculture for the Lasithi Plateau and Its People – Toward a Sustainable Food Destination. The program explores how sustainable farming practices and tourism can work together to create a more resilient food system while showcasing Crete’s agricultural heritage.
Representatives from many of Heraklion’s leading hotels attended the meeting, signaling growing interest in sourcing more ingredients from local producers rather than relying on imported goods.
The discussion concluded with broad agreement that strengthening the connection between hotels and Cretan farmers benefits both sectors. Greater use of regional products not only supports local producers but also gives visitors a more authentic taste of Crete, reinforcing the island’s reputation as a destination where hospitality and gastronomy go hand in hand.
