Crete is one of the foremost tourist destinations in Greece, itself one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The total contribution of tourism to Crete’s GDP has been estimated at up to 47 per cent, and in the Regional Unit of Chania an unending stream of new 5-star hotels seems to be under construction to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of summer visitors.

But Crete has yet to succumb to the curse of over-tourism. Despite the crowds of visitors, the locals seem to have preserved their sunny and hospitable nature, and have not yet come to regard tourists as invaders depriving them of their traditional enjoyments, as has happened in places such as the Balearics and Barcelona. At the same time local authorities are keen to expand the island’s tourist offerings beyond the traditional sea-sun-and-sand mix, aiming to extend the tourist season beyond the current April-May to October period, but also to extend its geographical scope to include the endochora – the hinterland of picturesque villages and wild mountain scenery away from the beaches of the northern coastal strip.

As their tools in this effort they have the many alternative forms of tourism which can involve visiting inland sites and are less dependent on the weather, including:
– agrotourism, where olive farms, cheese makers, vine growers and others open their facilities to the public, who can even participate in activities such grape-picking and the olive harvest,
– wine tourism, where visitors are shown the processes involved in wine production and can take part in tastings of local wines for a small fee,
– religious tourism, visiting the many churches and monasteries of architectural interest for both cultural reasons and for worship,
– archaeological tourism, visiting the island’s many world-class sites, remnants of Europe’s first developed culture, and many more.

Cultural tourism is an important part of this mix, much of it limited to the summer months when there is a proliferation of musical and other artistic events, including drama and children’s puppet shows. The vibrant living tradition of Cretan music is an integral component while, in Crete as elsewhere, leading performers from the mainstream of Greek poplar music traditionally spend the summer months touring the country and appearing at quite modest venues, often for charitable purposes. At the same time classical music events are gaining popularity and drawing international performers who are appreciated by both visitors and locals.

A music workshop in Kissamos
While most of the cultural events are for passive audiences – though the traditional Cretan glendis invariably involve dancing – participatory events allow visitors to combine the customary pleasures of a Cretan holiday with some form of creative exercise, whether it be yoga, playing an instrument or even singing. A forthcoming event in Kissamos, which is open to all, is a week-long singing workshop in which a scratch choir, with a bit of training and some participation from professionals, will be brought to the pitch of being able to give a concert of classical works in the Stone Theatre at Nopigia at the beginning of September.

Munich-based Andrea Fessmann, a professional singer, choir leader and organiser, who studied singing and its teaching in Munich and Italian Bel Canto in Vienna, has been a regular summer visitor to Ravdoucha for several years and this year has organised a Choir Workshop which will take place from 31^st August to 7^th September at the Viglia Beach Apartments west of Kissamos town.

The workshop is open to all and will be conducted in both German and English, and the cost is €250 for the week not including accommodation and meals. Andrea tells us that 42 people have signed up so far, mostly German, but also from Austria and the UK, but the workshop is still open to anyone who wants to attend.

The closing concert will take place at the Stone Theatre in Nopigia on Friday 6^th September at 7.00 pm and will include works by Mozart, Handel and Bach. For more information and to register interest in the workshop contact Andrea at andrea.fessmann@icloud.com.