The Greek National Tourism Organisation
Newsletter
May 2015

Reduction on ferry tickets in Greece
There has been a 2.6 per cent reduction in the price of ferry tickets in Greece on routes which transport less than 300,000 passengers. The new fares apply to passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and trucks. For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/05/05/cheaper-fares-for-ferries-sailing-greek-waters/

The Menalon Trail to open in the Peloponnese on 30 May 2015

A 75 km footpath running along the Lousios River gorge, the western slopes of Mt Menalon, the Mylaon River valley and through traditional villages of central Peloponnese will be launched on 30 May and 1 June, given European certification and will be placed among the Leading Quality Trails of Europe. The trail has been created by a group of volunteers from Eastern Gortynia with the participation of the Arcadian Mountaineers and Ecologists Club (SAOO). For more information see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/05/12/menalon-trail-in-the-peloponnese-gets-eu-thumbs-up/

Ikos Oceania in Halkidiki reopens after a full rebrand
Ikos Oceania (formerly Oceania Club) has opened its doors this season after a full refurbishment which has included upgrading and expansion of the facilities as well as a rebrand under the strap-line “Infinite Lifestyle”. The refurbishment includes family friendly features, such as the extension of the playground facilities and a selection of new accommodation designed with families in mind, including the one bedroom family suites and one and two bedroom deluxe suites. The resort also upgraded their a la carte restaurant to feature Michelin star chef menus (Pourcel brothers, Giannis Vasileiadis, Andrea Fusco, Lefteris Lazarou, Chefs at Work) and new wine and cocktail lists. Finally a new 5×5 football pitch has been constructed and new bikes with unlimited free rental are available for those who want to take a ride and explore the local area. For more info see here: http://ikosresorts.com/infinite-lifestyle/infinite-activities/

“Gastronomy Days” in Benaki Museum, Athens
The culinary traditions of the Peloponnese will be showcased in the Benaki Museum in Athens during the annual “Gastronomy Days”, between 22-24 May 2015. Following two successful years that attracted more than 7,000 visitors, this year the Benaki Museum teams up with the Region of Peloponnese to introduce the region as a prime culinary destination and promote its products through networking and presentations. Parallel to the 3-day main events, the Micropolis event – aimed at children and parents – will provide a ground for education and exchange on nutritional habits and culinary traditions through storytelling, workshops, interactive programs and creative activities. For more info see here: http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/events/gastronomy_days_2015

Second Tinos Running Experience
One of most beautiful islands of the Cyclades, Tinos, known for its traditional pigeon houses and beautifully preserved villages, will be hosting the second Tinos Running Experience on 6 June. The initiative will include a half marathon (25km), a five- and ten-kilometre event and the one-kilometre Tinos Kids Run. Parallel events include the popular “pasta party” at Agape village on June 5 to get the runners fuelled up, with the main sports event taking place on June 6. For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/16/registration-for-the-tinos-running-experience-kicks-off/

Greece keeps picking up awards
Greece has had another outstanding award winning month with the following wins:
• Santorini has been honoured this year as part of the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Islands, ranking as the fourth on the list of top 10 islands in the world and top island in Europe for 2015.
• Greece has been included in luxury travel network Virtuoso's Top 10 list as one of the world's leading destinations for summer holidays and among the 10 leading countries recording increased bookings.
• GM of Crete's Daios Cove Luxury Resorts and Villas, was awarded the 2014 European Hotel Manager of the Year Award during the 42nd general meeting of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) held on April 17-19 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Athens International Airport (AIA) ranked top at this year's Routes Marketing Awards that took place on April 14 at Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
• Greece won 3 awards on the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards. Award for Conservation for the Antouaniko Mansion in Chios and two awards for Research and Digitization for the Hermoupolis Digital Heritage Management in Syros and the restoration of Plateau's Windmills with Perforated Sails in Lasithi, Crete.
• Thessaloniki came in second place among some of Europe's most-loved cities that were competing for the “InterRail Destination of the Year Award 2015″.
For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/24/greek-hotel-gm-wins-coveted-ehma-award-for-first-time/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/16/athens-airport-wins-at-routes-europe-2015-marketing-awards/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/21/santorini-wins-2015-tripadvisor-travelers-choice-4-world-island-and-1-europe-island-awards/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/30/greece-among-virtuoso-luxury-travelers-top-10-choices-ranked-5th-boosted-bookings/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/14/greece-wins-triple-cultural-heritage-2015-eueuropa-nostra-awards/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/02/thessaloniki-2nd-popular-destination-europe-reach-by-train/

New statistics show prospect for another record year in Greece
The GNTO has amalgamated recent visitor statistics from various sources that present the prospect of yet another record year in Greece. According to figures released by the Association of Greek Tourism Businesses (SETE), the country's main airports recorded more than 810,000 international arrivals by the end of March, an increase higher by 180,000 or some 29 percent compared to the same quarter of 2014. SETE also stated that both Athens and Thessaloniki had an impressive start this year. “The 29.5 percent increase in Athens during the first quarter, sets the stage for a record year for the destination. The Thessaloniki Airport gives a similar picture, where an increase of 22.3 percent was recorded for the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2014.”

Moreover, according to data recently released by European airport trade body Airports Council International (ACI), Europe Passenger traffic in the EU for the month of February this year grew by 6.2 percent, driven in particular by double-digit growth in Greece among other countries. In regards to Greece, the airports of Athens, Chania, Mykonos and Santorini were those that had the highest increase in passenger traffic in Europe for the month of February this year. The ACI Europe's report showed that Athens' Airport experienced a 24.7 percent increase in passenger traffic in February, the highest rise recorded in Group 2 along with the airports in London, Brussels, Lisbon and Dublin.

Also, according to from The Bank of Greece, arrivals to Greece in the first two months of 2015 grew by 52.7% and 52.4% from the UK market alone, while tourism receipts for the same period reported an increase of 12.4% and a staggering 54.0 % only from the UK.
Finally, stats released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) show that visitors to Greek archaeological sites in 2014 increased by 21.9 percent to 9.95 million compared to the previous calendar year and revenue rose by 13.5 percent, reaching 42.86 million euros.
For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/08/greece-sees-impressive-increase-of-foreign-arrivals-in-first-quarter-of-2015/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/16/greek-sites-and-museums-see-more-visitors-and-revenue-in-2014/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/04/27/greek-airports-contribute-europes-passenger-traffic-rise-february/

GNTO UK and Ireland office fam/press trips to Crete and Rhodes for BA's inaugural flights
To coincide with the new British Airways routes to Crete and Rhodes, the Greek National Tourism Organisation ran two fam trips over the last week with 11 tour operators and 4 UK media attending. In Rhodes highlights included the awe-inspiring medieval areas of Rhodes town, the archaeological sites of Lindos and some of the best hotels including Rodos Palace, La Marquise, Palladium, Lindos Blue, Aqua Grand, Melenos Villas and the Elysium resort & spa. In Crete, guests enjoyed the outstanding ruins of Knossos Palace and beautiful five star properties including the Aldemar Royal Mare, Domes of Elounda, Daios Cove, Grecotel Amirandes; and the new Grecotel Caramel Boutique Hotel as well as enjoying modern Greek gastronomy in Crete's buzzing capital Heraklion and Agreco farm.

BA's Nick Welsh, Gatwick Marketing Lead said about Crete: "It was a pleasure to co-host the inaugural flight to Crete. It was a wonderful opportunity to discover all that this unique Greek island has to offer, including a mouth-watering gastronomy scene, rich ancient history and of course miles of beautiful beaches. From the warm welcome we received at Heraklion Airport to the fantastic hospitality offered across the island, I'm sure British Airways customers will enjoy visiting Crete this summer".

Sandra Bolton, Sales Executive for Olympic Holidays said about Rhodes: "This was without one of the best fam trips I've been on. The trip was such an education for me - from seeing first-hand the huge variety of what Rhodes has to offer as a tourist destination to the differences in 5* accommodation available. It was brilliant to be able to experience such a wide variety of hotels, from those catering more for groups and large conferences such as the Rodos Palace, to the calm zen like ambience of properties that offer the ultimate in "wow factor" and client satisfaction such as the Lindos Blue and Aqua Grand, to traditional Greek luxury boutique hotels, such a the Melenos Villas in Lindos."

BA's summer schedule began on 26 April with the new Gatwick to Heraklion in Crete flight which will operate four days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays while the Gatwick to Rhodes flight, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 24 October began on 29 April. Flights are available to book at ba.com.

-Ends-
For further press information, please contact: Frances Tuke, Lotus UK, T: 020 7953 7470 E: frances@lotus-uk.co.uk or Panos Papadopoulos, Greek National Tourism Organisation, GNTO UK & Ireland Office, T: 020 74959311, E: media@gnto.co.uk.