With an active presence across three major events held in Santorini throughout October, Empiria Group reaffirmed its close connection to the island, supporting initiatives that promote sports tourism, environmental awareness and dialogue around the future of island development. The Group’s involvement in Santorini Experience 2026, the Lionfish Gastronomic Event and Hearth Summit Aegean 2026 highlighted the broader role of hospitality in fostering meaningful collaborations and contributing to the local community.

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Celebrating Santorini Through Sport

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From 16 to 18 October, Santorini Experience 2026 once again brought sports to the forefront, attracting the attention of the international sporting community. As Official Supporter and Hospitality Sponsor of the award-winning event, Empiria Group supported an established initiative that brings together open-water swimming and trail running against the island’s distinctive natural landscape.

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Through its hospitality contribution, Empiria Group helped showcase a different side of Santorini, reinforcing its position as a destination for sports, wellbeing and authentic travel experiences.

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Where Gastronomy Meets Purpose

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Bringing gastronomy and marine conservation together was the focus of the next initiative, held on 21 and 22 October. As Strategic Partner, Empiria Group supported the Lionfish Gastronomic Event in Santorini, the largest gastronomic and environmental event organised by the University of the Aegean, as part of the European research project GuardIAS, dedicated to the invasive lionfish (Pterois miles).

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The initiative highlighted the impact of the lionfish, an invasive alien species threatening marine biodiversity across the Mediterranean, while exploring its potential as a culinary ingredient. As part of the event, the Group’s chefs joined forces with invited Greek chefs to create original dishes featuring lionfish, offering a creative approach to addressing a contemporary environmental challenge. The Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF), with which Empiria Group maintains an ongoing partnership, was also actively involved.

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The initiative brought together 370 participants for the tasting, exceeding the initial target of 250, set as part of the effort to secure a Guinness World Records title for the largest lionfish tasting.

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Shaping the Future of Island Hospitality

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Continuing this spirit of collaboration and the exploration of new opportunities for the destination, Hearth Summit Aegean 2026 followed from 22 to 25 October, organised by Impact Hub Athens, with Empiria Group as Exclusive Hospitality Partner. The Summit brought together representatives from different sectors to exchange ideas and explore new approaches to the sustainable and regenerative development of the islands.

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As part of the programme, Dimitris Alexakis, Chief Operating Officer of Empiria Group, took part in the panel discussion “Post Tourism Aegean – What Else Could We Be?”, alongside Idrissia Thestrup, CEO of Lost Horizon, and Pascal Falcone, CEO of META Group. The discussion was moderated by Georgia Nomikou, President of the Municipal Council of Thira and Chair of the Tourism Committee.

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The conversation explored the need for Santorini to move towards a more diversified and resilient economic model, highlighting the role hospitality can play as a catalyst for strengthening local production, entrepreneurship and the island’s cultural identity.

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Together, these three initiatives reflect a cohesive approach to Santorini, with hospitality acting as a connecting force between tourism, the local community and the destination’s natural and cultural heritage. Through its support of initiatives with distinct yet complementary objectives, Empiria Group continues to champion partnerships that broaden the possibilities for the island and contribute to its long-term development.

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