Statistics

UK visitors to Greece on the rise in 2016

Greece received 928,000 UK visitors between January and June 2016, an increase of 13 per cent compared to the same period in 2015, according to the latest figures from the Bank of Greece. Travel receipts from the UK market during the same period were also up by approximately two per cent.

Destination News

Jet2 announces new routes to Halkidiki

Four regional airports will fly to Halkidiki in northern Greece for the first time in 2017. Flights to Halkidiki will begin in May 2017 and operate weekly from East Midlands, Edinburgh and Leeds plus twice weekly from Manchester. With lush green forests that reach right down to the golden beaches, a traditional Greek way of life and a rich gastronomic and cultural heritage, Halkidiki is perfect for a summer escape.

For more information, please see here and www.jet2.com. 

Ryanair unveils new Birmingham to Chania flights

A new route from Birmingham to Chania on the island of Crete has been announced. Ryanair will fly twice weekly to the Greek destination from April 2017. Flights start from £35.99. Two new hotels recently opened their doors in Chania, the boutique Domus Renier and the adults-only Domes Noruz.

For more information, please see here and www.ryanair.com.

Thomson connects Bristol and Chania in 2017

Bristol will also be connected to Chania with new flights for the 2017 summer season from Thomson Airways. The flights will begin from May 2017. Thomson already flies to Heraklion on Crete and this destination addition shows the increased demand in Greece from UK travellers.

For more information, please see here and www.thomson.co.uk.

Eight additional flight extensions available from Athens and Thessaloniki

Greek airline Sky Express has announced eight new regional routes within Greece from October onwards. Six destinations will be served from Athens, including Paros, Skiathos, Karpathos, Kythira, Ikaria and Zakynthos, while travellers will also be able to connect with Chios and Samos from Thessaloniki. Each destination will have one new flight added per week.

For more information, please see here and www.skyexpress.gr.

New archaeological park planned for Rhodes' Acropolis

A new archaeological park aiming to highlight and preserve Rhodes' Acropolis is in the pipeline according the South Aegean Region. The landmark is one of the island's most important sites and dates back to Classical times. Located three kilometres from the capital city, the Acropolis will undergo full restoration, while the new park will include a museum and special archaeological routes to enhance visitors' cultural experience. The project is funded with €1.6 million under the 'South Aegean 2014-2020' program. For more information, please see here.

New Paros Airport expected to strengthen tourism

Paros' new airport opened its doors in late July and it is expected to handle four times the traffic of the previous airport, contribute to tourism in the Cyclades and strengthen the local economy. The airport will be linked to other domestic and international destinations. The first phase of construction was funded by Aegean and Olympic Air, while the new runway was funded by the Public Investment Program. For more information, please see here.

In other airline news, Aegean Airlines has won the award for the 'Best Regional Airline in Europe' for the sixth consecutive year at the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards. For more information, please see here.

New ferry aims to boost tourism to North Aegean Islands

Hellenic Seaways has unveiled a new ferry, the Nissos Samos, to serve the route between Piraeus, Mesta Chios, Mytilini, Limnos and Thessaloniki. The ferry has a capacity of 2,200 passengers and it will aim to attract passengers and boost tourism to the North Aegean islands. Hellenic Seaways also announced a series of discounted 'Deals for you' tickets between Pireaus and Chios Mesta, valid until 27 September 2016. For more information, please see here.

Greece named third favourite European cruise destination

Greece has remained one of the most popular cruise destinations in Europe according to the latest report from CLIA. The report stated that cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors in Europe, employing 10,000 people and contributing over €188 million to the Greek economy. Greece received 4,176,500 cruise passengers in 2015 with Santorini, Piraeus, Mykonos, Corfu and Katakolon the lead ports of call. Overall, the cruise industry in Europe grew by two per cent in 2015 to an estimated €40.95 billion. For more information, please see here.

New Openings

Luxury hotel Lesante Blu opens on Zante

Opening in May 2017, Lesante Blue is a five-star, luxury hotel on the island of Zante. Located in the picturesque village of Tragaki, the adults-only hotel is positioned next to a secluded beach by the sea and aims to offer an exclusive experience for guests. The hotel provides six different types of suites, all with sea views, and has five restaurants and bars, as well as a private dining service. The hotel's spa has a wide range of treatments to help travellers relax with massages, saunas and private 'him and her' options available. The hotel will be perfect for honeymooners with private pools, sunset cocktails and candlelit dinners just some of the romantic options to enjoy.

One night for two adults in a 'Superior Sea View Room' costs from €157.50 (www.lesanteblu.gr)

New villas resort to open in Halkidiki

A new luxury villa resort is due to open in Halkidiki in April 2017. The family run resort, Eagles Villas, will be located in Ouranoupolis next to Eagles Palace, featuring 40 luxury villas with breathtaking views of its garden and private beach. Suitable for both couples and larger families, the villas will all be equipped with private pools, while the resort will also offer a kids area, tennis courts, a spa with full range of treatments and therapies, as well as four bars and six restaurants. Guests will also able to use the facilities at nearby Eagles Palace Resort including the water sports and PADI diving centres, while Eagles Villas will also offer butler service as well as 24 hours club car service for guest to comfortably move around the resort.

2017 prices not yet available. (www.eaglesvillas.gr)

Sani Resort to expand with new hotel in 2017

The Sani Resort, located in the Halkidiki peninsula, has announced the opening of a new five-star Sani Dunes Hotel, which is due to open in June 2017. The hotel and surrounding resort will cost €24.2 million and will be built on 41 acres of land – comprising of 136 rooms and suites, three restaurants, an indoor pool and spa. Sani Dunes promises to provide exceptional cuisine and a grown-up environment, although children over 12 will be able to stay. The hotel will be home to an open-air Garden Theatre providing a full schedule of entertainment, musicals and shows, while each year Sani plays host to the Sani Festival - one of the Mediterranean's leading musical celebrations.

One night in a double room (for two adults) with a pool view costs from €554 (www.sani-resort.com/en_GB/our-hotels/sani-dunes-hotel)

New Aqua Park Club at Club Marine Palace

The Club Marine Palace & Suites on the island of Crete has unveiled a new aqua park to entertain families and children. The 6,000m2 park holds a number of record breaking aqua towers, rides and waterslides, including the Black-Hole water tunnel and the exhilarating Kamikaze Slide. There is also an aqua tower for younger children with over 100 water games and a kid's play area. The park is included within Grecotel's all-inclusive packages.

One night in a double side sea view room (for two adults) is available from €180 (http://www.clubmarinepalace.com).

Wyndham Hotel group to open first hotel in Greece

The first Wyndham hotel will open its doors in Athens early next year. The Wyndham Grand Athens aims to offer guests accessible luxury and will be situated on Karaiskaki Place with a refurbishment of the Hotel Athens Imperial. The hotel will have 273 rooms, 2,500 m2 of conference rooms, a restaurant, bar, spa and a roof-garden with a pool. The hotel will be located close to Metaxourgeio metro station and many of Athens' cultural highlights. For more information, please see here.

Athens Tiare Hotel opens its doors

A new four star hotel, Athens Tiare, opened in August, located at Omonia Square in central Athens. The hotel is part of Mage Hotel and Resorts and has a capacity of 111 rooms and suites. The hotel is also home to the 'Tiare Restaurant' and 'All Day Bar', where guests can enjoy unique dishes of renowned chef Nikos Voulougouris, accompanied by the wine selections of award-winning sommelier Nikos Giannopoulos.

One night in a double room (for two adults) with breakfast is available from €90 (www.athenstiarehotel.com). For more information please see here.

Festivals & Events

Tenth anniversary of 'Cycladic Gastronomy' celebration

The Greek island of Sifnos will be holding its annual Festival of Cycladic Gastronomy “Nikolaos Tselementes” from 8 -10 September. It will be the tenth year of the celebrations that take place in the village of Artemonas. Every year, cooks from across the Cyclades flock to Sifnos for the festival, bringing their traditional recipes and local ingredients, and producing some of the finest delicacies in the Aegean. For more information, please see here.

World Spearfishing Championship's to take place in Syros

The capital of the Cyclades, Syros, will host the 30th CMAS World Spearfishing Championships (15 – 19 September). The five-day event will host participants from some 21 countries, dozens of athletes and hundreds of visitors and fans. The ancient method of spearfishing is now a competitive sport defined as the 'bait-less hunting and capture of fish underwater without the aid of artificial breathing devices'. For more information, please see here.

Kea showcases 100 years of Shipwrecks

The Cycladic island of Kea will focus on its shipwreck, diving and marine history during the '100 years of Kea's Shipwrecks: 1916:2016' event taking place from 30 September – 2 October. The event is part of a campaign to highlight the island as a diving tourism destination and will include prominent speakers from the diving industry. The three-day event marks a century since the SS Burdigala and HMHS Britannic sank seven days apart due to underwater mines in the Kea Channel. For more information, please see here.

-Ends-

For further press information, please contact: Tim Thackray, Lotus, T: 020 7953 7470 E: Tim@wearelotus.co.uk or the Greek National Tourism Organisation, GNTO UK & Ireland Office, T: 020 74959311, E: pr@gnto.co.uk