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There are encouraging signs that production of 'mastiha' - the mastic gum that is a signature product of the Aegean island of Chios - may recover after a destructive 2012 fire that destroyed 25 percent of the island's yield. According to a North Aegean regional authority official, many trees that were considered dead have begun to blossom again and large numbers of mastic trees have already been planted.
This finding was announced during a press conference at the 29th International Tourism Exhibition "Philoxenia" in Thessaloniki, at a North Aegean region pavilion promoting tourism resources of the region's nine islands and their potential as holiday destinations.
Among the problems highlighted by all tourism agencies at the conference, that of ferry connections loomed largest as an obstacle for tourism development, especially for communication between the residents of nine islands in the north Aegean. "They make us travel via Smyrna to reach our destinations, especially the residents of Chios," said regional tourism consultant Apostolia Likou, calling those responsible to understand that "Greece is not only the mainland."
As for the strategic plan for tourism promotion, Likou stressed that the new tourist seeks authentic experiences and organizes his vacations alone.
"Western Europeans especially, who choose to stay for a long time, are more interested in alternative forms of tourism," added Likou. "Our motto is that the best advertisement for our region is the satisfied tourist, who will share his experience and multiply arrivals," she said.
