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ECOCLUB, Issue 93
ECOCLUB.com: How would you honestly feel if two people in suits arrived one day to monitor and certify your
culinary tours, in the context of some quality or environmental regulation?
Nikki Rose: My objective is to celebrate Crete’s culture and natural beauty – to build alliances with people already working on
related projects. This is the CCS network. Part of our work includes education and presenting distinctive cultural immersion
seminars. We share our knowledge about what we cherish and have worked very hard to help preserve, which has proved to be
very beneficial for others.
Many people have already visited us - to learn about our work and share the information they acquired here with colleagues
around the world. They did not wear suits, though, since we provided them with advice on practical attire for rural living. We
are not available to host all interested parties, but try to make the time if they are also working on action programs. We have
businesses to run. So, if the hypothetical observers are not practitioners, and planned to apply a generic checklist, based on
mainstream standards in food and travel, I fear we would all become frustrated. But if they are agents of collaboration, then we
all win!
CCS does not fit into the categorical box of culinary travel. Some people in our network do not work in tourism at all. My
approach to education is considered unique, so a generic box is much too limiting for CCS network projects. The closest
familiar descriptions are cultural heritage preservation or Responsible Travel practitioners. CCS is a benchmark for best
practices in responsible travel. We have received international recognition for our work from The World Tourism Forum for
Peace and Sustainable Development, World Travel and Tourism Council, et al. We exchange information with fellow
practitioners, researchers and journalists. CCS cannot solve all of the problems of the world, but we can, and we do, salute and
support people working on beneficial preservation programs.
ECOCLUB.com: Does agrotourism (agritourism) make a real difference in present-day Crete, or is it simply an add-
on activity for large resorts.
Nikki Rose: Great question. What is agritourism? Since most of us are not farmers, we don’t know what to expect. Agritourism
is supposed to support rural communities. In the case of organic agriculture, it also helps to protect our environment. So,
agritourism can make a difference, as part of the bigger picture of preservation and responsible travel. Residents can share their
knowledge and visitors can enjoy a fantastic cultural immersion experience. The mutual benefits can be infinite. But logically,
agritourism is sporadic, supplemental income for most farmers. There are not many good, structured programs in Crete yet. It
requires much more concrete support from the beneficiaries.
Responsible agritourism is offered by people that already have an extremely difficult business to run. Farming is not a 9 to 5
position, it is a life-long commitment. Supplying us with excellent food and wine is far more challenging than we might ever
know or appreciate. While it might be a lovely notion if farmers could take the day off to entertain us, we are asking for the
world. So, the time farmers make to devote to us is a rare and wonderful privilege. By contrast, if agritourism is viewed by
hoteliers and travel agents as just another way to attract customers, and these businesses do not form mutually beneficial
partnerships with local rural communities, it can turn into a disrespectful simulation of rural life. This can deny travellers the
experiences they are looking for and limit a community’s opportunity to create jobs within their own field.
Responsible agritourism is a business, run by accomplished professionals. As long as the media and mega travel agencies instill
the message that “cheap travel deals are the way of the world,” travellers will never be aware of the true cost of travel, including
the long-term environmental and social impact that travel has on the communities they visit, and the true cost of good and safe
food. We all need to know what responsible agritourism entails, if we are expecting to enjoy such valuable benefits. To
successfully, as you asked, "make a difference", the cooperation between entrepreneurs, cultural and environmental
preservationists and travellers must be strong.
ECOCLUB.com: You are known as someone who does not mince their words, even in ministerial press conferences.
In the unlikely case that someone had absolute power over Crete, inhabited by famously fiercely independent-
inhabitants and the only place in Greece where people are allowed to carry guns – and that person was you, what 3
measures would you take in relation to tourism and the environment?
Nikki Rose: I’m a realist. Dreaming of hypothetical power is free for someone else. To isolate tourism and environmental
protection from all other societal issues, is not something I’d attempt to do. Crete is still much safer and cleaner than
Washington, DC. To reserve the legal right to own a gun does not mean you plan to use it irresponsibly. In Crete, I’ve seen guns
used for the purpose of hunting - for food, that is. If this seems barbaric, then we should all become vegetarians.
I think that fierce independence is a good thing, if it’s aimed at protecting your culture and environment. If it shifts to damaging
your own neighbourhood, without concern for others, then that is another story. Crete is a beautiful island with a fascinating
history. To lose that legacy to reckless entrepreneurs would be a tragedy. So, some steps a group of concerned citizens might
take are: 1. More education and implementation of powerful cultural heritage and environmental protection programs, and
sustainable organic farming practices. 2. Education and implementation of responsible travel programs. 3. Education in
promoting the results of the above.
