Entrepreneurs, consultants, and representatives of local authorities met in Thermi to exchange experiences, ideas, and challenges for a sustainable transition in tourism.
On October 21, 2025, the event “Sustainable Tourism & Green Practices” was successfully held, organized by ANATOLIKI S.A. – Development Agency of Local Government, within the framework of the European project WITH4LESS (Erasmus+).
The event took place at the Library of the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Thermi and gathered more than 40 participants, including tourism entrepreneurs, students, sustainable tourism consultants, and representatives of local authorities.
The event opened with a welcome address by Mr. Sokratis Samaras, President of ANATOLIKI S.A., who briefly presented the organization, its overall objectives, and shareholder composition. Ms. Vasso Papadopoulou, General Director of ANATOLIKI S.A., followed with a greeting emphasizing the importance of transitioning towards sustainable and responsible tourism — not merely as a choice but as a necessity and a shared challenge for all stakeholders: businesses, institutions, and local communities.
Next, Ms. Eleftheria Pita, Project Manager, presented the WITH4LESS project, outlining its objectives, target groups, and the actions developed during its implementation. Then, Ms. Anthi Paschalidou, Sustainable Tourism Consultant certified through the project (MOOC and Transnational Training), spoke about the role of the Sustainable Tourism Consultant, the challenges faced, the required skills and competences, and the opportunities for education and certification in this field. She also highlighted the importance of simple, practical, and low-cost solutions that tourism enterprises can adopt to take the next step toward a green transition — applying practices that make their businesses more sustainable, responsible, and attractive to modern travelers.
A dynamic interactive workshop followed, facilitated by Ms. Naya Tselepi, European projects manager and team facilitator. During the session, WITH4LESS Sustainable Tourism Consultants and tourism entrepreneurs exchanged experiences and best practices related to energy and water management, waste reduction, sustainable marketing, and the shift toward more eco-friendly operations. The workshop revealed both the challenges businesses face in adopting green practices and their willingness to cooperate and seek practical support for the transition to sustainability. Participants shared proposals and ideas to further strengthen actions toward a more sustainable and responsible tourism future.
In the second part of the event, Mr. Athanasios Kolokythas, Head of the Tourism Promotion and Development Department of the Municipality of Thermi, presented the newly established Tourism Department and its objectives, emphasizing sustainable tourism development, its evolution, and the benefits for businesses. He pointed out that the Municipality of Thermi, through collaboration with local enterprises, can become an example of green growth with tourism as a starting point.
Ms. Vasiliki Rapti, Tourism Consultant and Trainer at the Macedonian Institute of Tourism (SAEK), stressed the importance of green transition, noting that development must respect the environment, the local community, and the economy. She discussed the phenomenon of overtourism and its negative impacts — environmental degradation and reduced quality of life for residents. She explained the concept of carrying capacity and highlighted the green practices employees can adopt. Finally, she addressed the need to tackle climate change and the contribution of tourism to maintaining a healthy and sustainable planet.
Students from SAEK Tourism of Macedonia — Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, Maria Eleni Kalenteroglou, and Tryfon Kioutoutska — presented their research “Think Green: Sustainable Practices in Hotels,” emphasizing the value of ecological awareness and innovation in hospitality. They proposed practical solutions for energy upgrades, water management, waste reduction, and support of local producers. They underlined that staff education and engagement are key to sustainability, presenting an integrated concept of hospitality that combines environmental responsibility, digital balance, and well-being for guests and employees alike.
The event was a meaningful opportunity for dialogue and exchange of experiences, enhancing cooperation among businesses, consultants, and local authorities toward a more sustainable and competitive tourism future.
About WITH4LESS
The WITH4LESS project aims to create a new professional profile in the tourism sector — the Consumeless Advisors — equipped with enhanced knowledge and skills for waste reduction, resource efficiency, and the promotion of responsible and green tourism practices.
The project consortium consists of six organizations from six European countries:
- Energy and Water Agency (EWA) – Malta (Lead Partner) – www.energywateragency.gov.mt
- SVI.MED Centro Euromediterraneo per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile Onlus – Italy – www.svimed.eu
- Istanbul Medeniyet University – Türkiye – www.medeniyet.edu.tr
- ANATOLIKI S.A. – Development Agency of Local Government – Greece – www.anatoliki.gr
- Ecosystem Europe Association – Bulgaria – www.ecosystemeurope.org
- MAKE IT BETTER – Association for Innovation and Social Economy – Portugal – http://makeitbetter.pt
Total project budget: €250,000
ANATOLIKI S.A. budget: €41,000
Project duration: 1 September 2023 – 31 December 2025
Website: https://with4less.eu
Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
