Greece in Digital Bloom: Over €860,000 for “Blooming Routes”

The Ministry of Digital Governance has included the project “Digitalization of Tourist Content for Blooming Routes in Greece” in the Digital Transformation Program 2021–2027, with a total budget of €862,920. This initiative aims to systematically digitize, document, and promote notable blooming and fruiting phenomena across the Greek countryside, with the goal of creating a new thematic tourism product.

Blooming Routes with Substance and Future Potential
The project focuses on a range of agricultural events such as:

Peach blossoms in Veria

Cherry blossoms in Edessa and Pieria

Wild tulips (lalades) in Chios

Sunflowers and lavender fields in Evros

Saffron crocus blooms in Kozani

Almond blossoms in Thessaly

Orange groves in Peloponnese and Chios

These are regions rich in ecological and cultural value, yet often under-promoted as tourism destinations.

Digital Tools and Features
The project involves the creation of a comprehensive digital platform that will gather data from multiple sources and offer:

Geographic mapping (GIS): Precise mapping of blooming areas using geographic information systems.

Seasonal tracking: Documentation of flowering and fruiting periods, broken down into stages (start, peak, end).

Demographic data: Recording of farmers, cooperatives, and stakeholders involved in the cultivation.

Initiatives and partnerships: Information on existing promotion activities and collaborations with local groups, municipalities, and organizations.

Connection to local products and gastronomy: Reference to PDO/PGI products and opportunities to promote regional culinary traditions.

Integrated networks of visitor areas: Creation and promotion of thematic tourist routes, linked to other networks such as wine roads or cultural trails.

Strategic Goals and Expected Benefits
The main objective is to increase tourism interest in lesser-known regions by showcasing their natural and cultural richness. At the same time, the initiative aims to link the agricultural sector with tourism, promoting sustainable development and generating new economic opportunities for local producers and communities.

The digital platform will serve as a valuable tool for local authorities and tourism organizations, making it easier to record, highlight, and promote these unique seasonal routes of flowering and fruiting.

Framework and Outlook
This action falls under Greece’s broader digital transformation strategy and highlights the role of technology in enhancing cultural and natural heritage. Inspired by the successful promotion of cherry blossom season in Japan, Greece aims to create similar thematic tourism experiences that will attract visitors and support local economies year-round.