A reception for hundreds of American tour operators, with traditional Greek food, wine, music and dances from Greece, was organized on April 15 at Zappeio Megaro, as part of the parallel events for the ASTA conference in Athens, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, under under the auspices of GNTO and with the cooperation of FedHATTA.

The American delegates were welcomed by the band of the Municipality of Athens as well as members and dancers of the Petrou G. Zisis Ethnological Foundation in traditional costumes.

American tour operators sampled traditional Greek-produced beverages, admired folk art, from the non-profit organization Branding Heritage, representative of Greek culture, and then enjoyed tastes of Greek cuisine.

They also had the opportunity to taste 20 different varieties of Greek wine, from 30 different wine labels, and discover 25 representative wineries to visit throughout the country. The wine tasting was organized by Wines of Greece and the wine tourism consulting company Grapefool, through which the National Interprofessional Vine and Wine Organization, EDOAO, promotes quality Greek wine abroad.

Culinary delicacies from Crete and the South Aegean were also offered, curated by the Attica Chefs’ Club Acropolis.

The evening continued with an extensive music and dance program with a traditional Greek flavor.