Local businesses come together to raise Zagorochorias profile

By Vassiliki Kerasta*

The Zagori Excellence Network, or ZEN, is a modern initiative that aims to promote Zagorochoria, an area encompassing 45 villages in the Pindus mountain range in Greeces northwestern Epirus region, in Greece as well as abroad. It is a collaborative project involving tourism, catering and outdoor activities businesses that have seen revenues decline as a result of the ongoing debt crisis.

The project started in Ano Pedina, a village in Central Zagori and was the brainchild of Yiannis Skordilis, the owner of Amaryllis guesthouse. In a way, however, the network had already begun to form before its founders realized. Those of us who got together [via ZEN] mostly knew each other through our customers, says Vassilis Katsoupas. A customer would walk into my restaurant in Vitsa and say, You were recommended by Papaevangelou in Papingo. I did not even know Papaevangelou back then. So in a way we founded a network that was already there, Katsoupas added.

We chat over a red Zagori wine on a quiet evening in the restaurant of the Pirrion hotel in Ano Pedina. We also get to meet other members of the network: Our friendly hosts Eleni and Xenofontas Trakis and Nikos Petsios from Zagori Suites in Vitsa. Alexis Stratsianis, 35, moved to the village two years ago to take over the family guesthouse, Primoula. He is one of ZENs biggest supporters. If I want to advertise my guesthouse abroad, then I am going to need a huge budget. But if instead we promote the region as a whole, the number of visitors who come here will gradually grow and my own guesthouse will benefit as well, he explains.

Zagori is indeed endowed with an abundance of natural beauty. No less important, it has preserved its traditional architecture with the regions characteristic slate roofs. Here lies the breathtaking Vikos Gorge, the clear waters of Voidomatis River, the peak of Astraka. The members of ZEN are also connected by their love of nature and respect for each other as tourism professionals.

Achilles Papaefthimiou of Alpine Zone, a company that specializes in outdoor activities, has 17 years of experience. He has worked with tourist offices for a number of years but has chosen to join ZEN because, as he says, it represents a hallmark of excellence. You can better support your business when you belong to a group of outstanding businesses. Sure, attempts were made in the past to set up clusters, but teamwork is not Greeks strongest point. Wed rather each wave our own flag, he says.

Dionysis Stefanou, who runs a taverna called Riza in Elati, adds, You will never experience economic growth if you only care about filling your own hotel or taverna. A delicious-smelling savory pie (for which the region is well known), roasted eggplant and some amazing-looking lamb prepared by Stefanou lie on the table waiting for us to tuck in. The food leaves no question about the quality one of ZENs key ingredients.

We have to keep the balance, says Alexandros Kallatzis, another member of the network. His hotel, Kipi Suites, has enjoyed two strong consecutive seasons. Only 15 percent of the bookings were made by Greeks while the rest were comprised Australians, Germans and Israelis.

If a visitor liked my shop but not Zagori, well thats not good enough, he says. It is important that the whole region becomes more attractive. One key problem that we are facing, for example, is that there is no airport in the area. Meanwhile, locals have to deal with less challenging but crucial problems like the lack of ATMs in Zagorochoria.

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Local businesses come together to raise Zagorochorias profile