The first expo on alternative tourism in Greece opened its doors to visitors and professionals on Friday, October 14 and hopes to provide the interested parties with the ability to exchange ideas and network. Hosted buyers from 9 countries attended the “Nostos Alternative Tourism Expo”, as the event is called, which is organised by the municipality of Nafpaktos and is under the auspices of the Ministries of Economic Growth and Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports, the Hellenic Tourism Organisation (HTO), the General Secretariat of Youth and KEDE ends on Monday, October 17. The Deputy Minister of State, Terrence Kouick and the Mayor of Nafpaktos, Panayiotis Loukopoulos opened the expo before the attendance of members of the opposition parties and local dignitaries. During tho official opening all the speakers stressed the need to place greater emphasis on alternative tourism in order to achieve an extended tourist season. The expo has been set up in specially designed area in the city of Nafpaktos. The presence of 32 hosted buyers from 9 countries (Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Russia and Israel) is very strong, while a total of 570 exhibitors will be designated kiosks. “The goal of our Municipality is to establish ‘Nostos Greek Alternative Tourism Expo’ as a point of reference for the whole of Greece and especially alternative tourism”, said Panayiotis Loukopoulos, during the press conference that followed the opening of the expo. Visitors will the chance to see a series of conference events on the opportunities and prospects in alternative tourism. Different activities, shows and happenings like mountain biking, horse riding, kite surfing and archery will take place in designated areas.