Did you know that the people of Crete celebrate every year the World Tourism Day on September 27th in Heraklion? Tourism is a vital part of the Cretan economy and plays a crucial role in spreading Cretan culture to the world. Every year, the locals welcome thousands of visitors from around the globe and ensure that they have a pleasant stay. They hope that their guests take home fond memories of the island and that they will return one day to visit again.
During your stay in Crete, you will be amazed by the stunning beauty of the island, with its crystal-clear blue seas and majestic mountains. You will have the opportunity to hike through the island’s famous gorges and enjoy the tranquility of its beautiful forested areas. The island’s rich history, which dates back to ancient times with myths and legends and continues through modern times with the liberation of Crete and its resilience in the face of numerous wars and challenging circumstances, will leave a lasting impression on you. The warm hospitality and unique cuisine of the Cretan culture will undoubtedly impress you, and the memories of your time on the island will stay with you long after you leave.
The people of Crete are renowned for their warm and welcoming nature towards all visitors, treating them with the same kindness as they would show their own family. Every year, they take the opportunity to celebrate World Tourism Day, as a reminder of the importance they place on cultural exchange. To mark this special occasion, the municipality of Heraklion organizes a grand celebration that involves the entire city, with a magnificent feast and a host of participants.
World Tourism Day is centered around Cretan cuisine, with the main event being a large outdoor gathering where creative Cretan dishes are turned into street food. This event also showcases local Greek products and features cooking and wine tasting of Cretan wines that are open to the public. To make the event even more special, a number of well-known chefs from Greece are invited to participate.
During the event, a large table is set up in the city featuring food inspired by local Cretan products. These include both traditional and contemporary recipes, all made with locally sourced ingredients and flavors unique to Crete. Guest chefs join school children to cook together and highlight the vibrant colors, delicious aromas, and unique flavors of Cretan cuisine. The day is filled with festive energy as the scents and tastes of Crete fill the air, adding to the excitement.
All chefs from restaurants and hotels in the city and wider prefecture are invited to participate in the event. They are welcome to present their favorite recipe based on local Cretan products or a popular dish among the visitors to their restaurant, based on Greek and Cretan cuisine. The recipe can be cooked from scratch or completed and garnished in front of the audience, who can taste as many small portions as they wish. Plenty of locally produced wine is served, and for this feast, all utensils used are eco-friendly and disposable.
In addition to cooking, the winemakers and agricultural product producers of Crete, along with food stores, restaurants, bakeries, and grocers across the prefecture, will be able to showcase, advertise and sell their best local products at this upcoming event. It is an excellent opportunity for local producers to promote their products and for the world to discover the production of local goods and indulge in a grand celebration.