The Cretan way of life: An opportunity for Greece

In the framework of the 2nd International Conference of the Hellenic Centre of Excellence for Health and Wellness, which will be held from 13 to 18 November 2023 at the Grecotel Hotels in Rethymno, the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Lefteris Avgenakis, will address the participants.

Mr. Avgenakis' speech will be entitled "The Cretan Way of Life and Agriculture" and will focus on the relationship between the traditional Cretan and agriculture. Mr. Avgenakis will refer to the role of agricultural production in promoting health and wellness, as well as the opportunities that the Cretan way of life offers for the development of the Greek agricultural sector.

In addition to Mr. Avgenakis, the conference will feature speakers from leading scientists worldwide, including professors from Harvard, Yale, John Hopkins, U Mass, Cleveland Clinic, and representatives from the World Bank and the Academy of Athens.
The conference aims to highlight the Cretan lifestyle's health and wellness benefits and promote Crete as a leading wellness destination.

Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, which is a strategic partner of the Hellenic Centre of Excellence for Health and Wellness, is actively participating in the conference. The company is offering delegates the opportunity to experience the Cretan way of life by tasting traditional Cretan dishes and participating in activities such as hiking, cycling and yoga.

As part of the conference, Yale Hospitality will partner with Grecotel to train a team of Chinese professional chefs in the secrets of healthy Cretan and Greek cuisine.
This partnership is an important opportunity for Grecotel to promote the Cretan lifestyle and Greek cuisine to new markets.

The inspirer of the Greek Centre of Excellence for Health and Wellness is Dr. Stefanos Kales, Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, Department of Public Health, Dr. Stefanos Kales. Dr. Kales, in collaboration with Mr. Dimitris Kalaitzidakis, Director of Operations of Grecotel Group, is implementing for the second year the International Conference "Cretan Way of Life - Past and Future" at the group's hotels in Rethymnon.
As Kalaitzidakis said, "Our illiterate grandparents were 65 years ahead of their time. They lived using only the food of the time, which they grew themselves, recycling with inventive and delicious recipes, whatever they had left over. They lived with zero food waste and zero food miles. Ultimately, the solution to longevity with quality of life is to try to remember the simple but very healthy way of our grandparents."

Co-organizers of the conference are Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, the Hellenic Centre of Excellence for Health and Wellness and the Greek Goods Group AgrecoFarms, while this year's event is supported by the Region of Crete and under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, EOT and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.