Apitourism an alternative, enjoyable and challenging activity for demanding citizens and tourists!

Read the article in any of the other 6 languages:

Download Article on Tourism GR (2.11 MB) Download Article on Tourism HU (1.96 MB) Download Article on Tourism IT (1.87 MB) Download Article on Tourism PL (1.88 MB) Download Article on Tourism PT (1.88 MB) Download Article on Tourism SI (1.86 MB)

Do you think that you have enough with tourist packages that give you only travel and hotel? Do you want to go out of the hotels in the exotic places you visit and taste the traditional cuisine, but also see how the food is made? Do you wish to experience the struggle of everyday life of fruit and nut or vegetables producers? Are you interested in nature and the miracles that are hidden in the behaviour of pollinating insects? Would you like to endeavour to understand the secrets of a honey bee superorganism? You can have a taste of the above through what we call, Apitourism!

The municipality of Nea Propontida

The Municipality of Nea Propontida is located at Prefecture of Halkidiki, in the Region of Central Macedonia in Northern Greece. Halkidiki, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece as it has the perfect combination of that distinctive Greek light, unspoiled landscapes, colours and fragrances! However, Halkidiki features a typical "sea and sun" tourism model with over a million overnight stays concentrated in coastal areas during the summer months. Still, tourism leaders and professionals of the area have realized the need for change. Tourism must be sustainable and should also be connected with the special elements that this region generously offers: nature, tradition, history, gastronomy. The Municipality of Nea Propontida has undertaken a challenging and innovating project for the region, aiming at the interconnection of beekeeping with tourism, called Apitourism!

Apitourism combines the beekeeping tradition, the beekeeping practice, and the love and enthusiasm for keeping bees and promoting bee products

What is Apitourism

Apitourism is an alternative form of tourism inextricably linked to the art of beekeeping and the life of the bee. This particular form of tourism offers unique experiences to tourists directly related with nature. The story about the bee and the synergies of nature, which can be transmitted within a natural landscape in a unique way by a beekeeper, creates an authentic tourist product.

Visiting an apiary, observing the honey bee colonies in their natural environment, apiculture museums, honey tasting, candle making workshops, apitherapy, walks in bee friendly gardens, are some of the activities of apitourism. The above mentioned activities provide to visitors, knowledge and familiarization with the importance of bees in nature.

Slovenia, a model for apitourism

Slovenia has already developed apitourism and it is a model for our city. A country with long beekeeping tradition, which legally protects its local breed (Apis mellifera carnica), has achieved admirable synergies between beekeepers, tour operators and local businesses. Furthermore, Slovenia is the only country that certifies apitourism and providers.

The bee symbol has been used since 2013 (one, two or three bees at the most) to indicate the quality of individual providers in terms of service delivery, use of environmentally friendly materials, specialization, innovation, efficiency, experience and location. Also, from 2016 there are specialized guides for apitourism. In addition, Slovenia is a pioneer in the creation of tourist routes of beekeeping interest. Slovenia was the 'inventor' of the World Bee Day celebration.

Different aspects of Slovenian Apitourism                                                                          

Apitourism in Greece

Developing apitourism in the region of Greece is not an easy task. The main obstacle is the human fear as most people in Greece fear the bees!!! The steps of our team are slow but steady and initially based on education. Different approaches are used in order to inform and raise citizen's awareness.  Presentation by beekeepers at schools proved to be until now, the most effective approach as children learn, feel and transmit all this positive energy and enthusiasm. The next step will be made by providing to both citizens and tourists easy access to experiential knowledge. Two different tourist routes / paths have been designed in order to achieve this.

The first path will be inside the city of Nea Moudania. Visitors will be able to walk through the town, observe and admire several elements of urban beekeeping, such as a bee garden, pedestrian street with bee friendly trees, flowers and bee hotels,  exhibition of bee artworks, permanent exhibition about the local history and beekeeping tradition at the Museum of Fishing Vessels and Equipment, a theme outdoor park for children with original bee-inspired toys. All of the above has been incorporated into the redevelopment plan which started being implemented in the city of Nea Propontida.

Map of Nea Moudania and points of beekeeping interest

The second and longest path will consist of visits in several places of beekeeping and natural interest, walking in unique landscapes of natural and cultural heritage throughout Halkidiki and of course a visit to Aristotle's park, the great ancient Greek philosopher who was the first in history who studied and wrote about bees.

It is extremely important to mention that currently there are few apiaries open to visitors in Greece. However, beekeepers declare their satisfaction as the tourist visits generate additional income and loyal and repetitive customers. Despite the fact that there are few apitourism providers, we are very proud of them as passion, devotion and authenticity are their main characteristics.

Map of Halkidiki with the main historical, natural and beekeeping points of interest!

At the edges of the main city of our municipality, Nea Moudania, the visitor can not miss the road side shop of Vagio Agrofarms, where traditional products, like olive oil, olives, honey, pollen and herbs can be found. The two huge bees outside of the shop show the way in and at the back of the shop there is a great surprise for kids of any age - two honey bee colonies in painted hives, with lots of flowers around and a bee hotel!

Vagio Agrofarms, in love with Apitourism!

Passion honey, apiary is located in Holomonta, an area which is a protected zone by the Natura 2000 program. Visitors can learn about bees and their importance in the environment as they walk in a unique natural landscape, taste certified organic honey and a variety of beehive products awarded in international competitions. The passion of this small family business is the best advertisement for apitourism in Halkidiki.

Passion Honey site and apitouristic activities

Anel honey park, is in another site of our path.  A few kilometres from the city of Thessaloniki on the road to Nea Moudania, it operates in a highly urban environment and is a theme park for the life of bees, bee products, melliferous plants, beekeeping equipment and supplies, even soap making and honey tasting! It is also the only apitherapy park in Greece. Visitors not only from Greece but also from abroad visit the park to combine the knowledge on bees and the experience of apitherapy (inhaling the air of the hive and relaxing with the sound of the bees).

ANEL thematic Honey Park, a paradise for kids and adults, in Neo Rysio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Travelling a bit out of Halkidiki area we find other apiaries scattered in the mainland or in the beautiful islands of Greece, but we will only dwell on two typical examples. The first one is on the island of Ikaria, in Armenistis, where beekeeper Elisabeth Karoutsou has set up a beautiful and warm corner that welcomes visitors. In a small, old, stone building, 'Melissavet' welcomes tourists, helping them get inspired from the bee world through presentations and videos, and then captivates them with the flavours and different aromas of Ikaria honey and pollen. She finally brings them into contact with the bees so that they are no longer frightened of them as they can see the inner world of a hive.

Melissavet Hive in Ikaria Island

Our last example, located in Palini, Attica, is called 'From A to Bee'. The vision of this innovative team is to offer high quality activities and experiences in traditional Greek beekeeping, Greek culture and Greek cuisine. Visitors will wear the beekeeping costume, taste the honey and work with the bees as real beekeepers.

From A to bee way of apitouristic activities

The development of apitourism is a primary goal of our team – BeePathNet- Melissodiadromes (BeePath Net Neas Propontidas). The team has now assessed the difficulties and with patience, organization and methodology we strive to promote and establish recognition of this specific tourist product, the Apitourism.

Written by: Anastasia Liourta¹,  Fani Hatjina²

¹MSc Tourism Management, Communication Officer for Local Group BeePathNet Nea Propontida

²Researcher A', Hellenic Agriculture Org. "DEMETER", ULG Coordinator for BeePathNet Nea Propontida