Statistics

Rise in UK visitors to Greece in 2016

Greece received approximately 1.4m UK visitors between January and July 2016, an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2015, according to the latest figures from the Bank of Greece.

Overall, Greece received 12.1m overseas visitors between January and July 2016, an increase of one per cent compared to the same period in 2015. During July 2016, there were approximately 4.7m visitors to Greece, up six per cent compared to July 2015.  

A study by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (InSETE) suggested there would be a six per cent increase in international tourist arrivals in 2016, with the number of arrivals expected to exceed 25 million. This increase is expected to generate expenditure of 14.55 billion euros, an increase of 6.4 per cent. For more information, please see here.

Greek airports see increase in passenger traffic in 2016

Passenger traffic through Greece's airports increased by 8.1 per cent year-on-year during the January-August 2016 period, according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. A total of 37,368,155 people passed through the country's airports in the first eight months of 2016. Please see here.

According to the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Crete, the Ionian and Cyclades islands received the most international arrivals compared to 2015, while Athens and Thessaloniki also performed well. Please see here.

Increase in cruise passengers through Piraeus Port

The first seven months of 2016 saw an 18.5 per cent year-on-year increase in passengers passing through Pireaus port in Athens, according to the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP). The January – July 2016 period saw 150,000 more cruise passengers in Greece compared to the same period last year.

For more information, please see here.

New Openings - Hotels

The Electra Metropolis hotel opens in Athens

A brand new hotel, Electra Metropolis, has opened in the heart of Athens. Located in the old Education Ministry building on Mitropoleos Street, the restoration by Electra Hotels & Resorts has stayed true to the original 1959 design, providing a stylish retro-chic interior. The Electra Metropolis will be positioned as a luxury lifestyle hotel and dining will be overseen by Chef Dimitris Boutsalis, who has worked at several Michelin starred restaurants. 

A classic double room at the Electra Metropolis starts from £160 including breakfast. (www.electrahotels.gr/en/athens/electra-metropolis-athens)

New Athens Avenue Hotel opens

A stylish new hotel has opened in Athens' city centre - the Athens Avenue Hotel. Located on Sygrou Avenue, the hotel offers easy access to many of the sights of the city, located close to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre and the Acropolis. The hotel combines modern architecture and minimal décor, and also has a bar and restaurant.

A standard double room is available from £92 including breakfast. (www.athensavenuehotel.gr)

Costa Navarino unveils Hippocrates Detox programme

The luxury five star Costa Navarino resort in Messinia has unveiled a new wellness programme based on the holistic theory of Hippocrates that aims to 'rebalance metabolism, neutralise stress, increase stamina and aid weight loss'. The Eucrasia Messinia treatment will be hosted in the multi award-winning Anazoe Spa with either seven or 14 day itineraries available in November. For more information, please see here.

Costa Navarino's 'The Romanos' resort was recently awarded the Travelife Gold certification for its sustainability credentials – please see here.

New Routes – Flights and Cruise

Sky Express to launch Athens-Skiathos and Chios Service

Domestic Greek airline Sky Express will launch new flights from Athens to the island of Skiathos in the North Sporades and the North Eastern Aegean island of Chios from October. The flights to Chios will initially operate on Mondays and Fridays for October and Mondays and Wednesdays from November onward. Fares will start from €37 one-way. The flights to Skiathos will initially operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays with daily flights to start during the summer months.

For more information, please see here and here.

Celestyal Cruise launch 'Greek style' autumn cruises  

Celestyal Cruises has announced a series of autumn voyages dedicated to fine Greek wine and food. The three and four day cruises will take place between September and November, offering travellers the chance to enjoy and learn about everything from Greek wines and cheeses to local liqueurs and spirits through a series of on-board demonstrations. Taking place on the Celestyal Olympia, guests will visit Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini. Celestyal has also unveiled longer cruises dedicated to two trademark Greek products: Chios mastic and Greek olive oil.

A three day cruise is available from €310. For more information, please see here. (www.celestyalcruises.uk/en)

New Projects

Kos Archaeological Museum Gets Makeover

The archaeological museum on the island of Kos has received an extensive refurbishment and is open again to visitors. The museum gives an insight into the culture and art of the island and has hosted major artefacts an archaeological finds since it opened in 1936. The project was funded under the Operational Program Crete and the Aegean Islands 2007-2013. For more information, please see here

€8 billion Hellenikon Project gets the go-ahead

An €8 billion  project to develop Hellenikon - Athens' former airport complex - into a multi-purpose hub complete with park, shops, offices, sports and conference facilities, luxury hotels, theme parks, museums, malls, cultural venues, health centres, educational and research facilities and marina, has been given the green light by the Greek parliament. The project is expected to take 12-15 years to compete and is expected to be a major boost to the Greek economy. For more information, please see here.

NE Aegean Islands gets EU funding for monuments

Over €10 million in EU funding has been allocated for the restoration of nine Greek monuments on the North Eastern Aegean islands. The preservation work will take place at the ancient city of Poliochni, the site of Kaveirio on Limnos, Mytlini Castle on Lesvos, St George Sykousis church, the UNESCO-listed Nea Moni (monastery) and the Castle on Chios, as well as major monuments on the islands of Sikinos (the Temple of Episkopi), Kythnos (transforming the old elementary school into an archaeological museum) and Rhodes (the Acropolis on Monte Smith). For more information, please see here.

Events

London Greek Wine Festival (8/9 October 2016)

The London Greek Wine Festival is a showcase of the finest Greek wines, brought to you by Theodore Kyriakou and the team at The Greek Larder. After a successful debut year in 2015, the event is back with over 150 wines to sample alongside delicious Greek dishes. Music will also come from the London Greek Collective. The event will take place at West Handyside Canopy in Kings Cross and tickets are available from £11.29. For more information, please see here.

Lesvos Trail (9 October 2016)

Lesvos invites travellers to experience the island in a different way this October with the Lesvos trail. The main 37km trail starts on the coastline before climbing up to the peak of Mount Lepetymnos (968m), which offers stunning views of the island. Runners and walkers will then head down to the vast olive trees and traditional villages surrounding the beautiful town of Molyvos. For more information, please see here.

Awards

Acropolis Museum named in top ten

The Acropolis Museum in Athens is the ninth best in the world, according to TripAdvisor's annual 'Travellers' Choice' awards for museums. The 'Travellers' Choice' awards honour top travel spots around the world and are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was awarded first place. For more information, please see here.

Greece awarded at the World Travel Awards

Several Greek properties were winners at the World Travel Awards 2016:

• The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens was awarded 'Greece's Leading Hotel' and 'Greece's Leading Hotel Suite'
• The Grace Santorini was awarded 'Greece's Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel'
• The Porto Carras Resort in Halkidiki was awarded 'Greece's Leading Resort'
• The Hilton Athens was awarded 'Greece's Leading Business Hotel'
• The Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso was awarded 'Greece's Leading Spa Resort'
• The Grand Resort Lagonissi Athens was nominated in 'Europe's Leading Luxury Wedding Resort'

Three hotels recognised at World Spa Awards

• The Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso was awarded 'Greece's Best Hotel Spa'
• The Espace Vitalité Chenot at Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas was awarded 'Greece's Best Resort Spa'
• The Aldemar Royal Mare was awarded 'Greece's Best Wellness Retreat'

Porto Carras recognised as bike friendly

The Porto Carras Grand Resort Meliton and Sithonia is the first in Greece to receive a 'Bike Friendly Hotel' accreditation. The initiative awards accommodation that can support bike-friendly travel in Greece and promotes sustainable tourism across the country. The five star hotel meets basic bike-friendly criteria, which include the possibility of one-night stays, secure overnight bike storage, the provision of regional cycling maps, bike repair kits for minor repairs and maintenance, washing/drying facilities for clothes and gear, recommended bike repair and rental shops. For more information, please see here.

For more information on what to see and do in Greece, please visit www.visitgreece.gr.

-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