April 2015

 'The Underwater Heart of the Mediterranean' launches first underwater dance performance

Fourteen performers from 10 different countries comprising artists, children, a diving instructor and dive master will create 'Drops of Breath' - the first ever underwater dance performance on the edge the Athenian Riviera at Cape Sounio. Potential audience members have the choice of how to experience the show. Certified divers can be seated on underwater benches; snorkelers will be able to swim over the stage and for those preferring to keep their feet dry, there will be a screen broadcasting the performance live on the beach. With the tagline 'Everybody is equal under the water', 'The Underwater Heart of the Mediterranean' initiative brings together snorkelers and divers including some performers with disabilities. Performance times and ticket sales of 'Drops of Breath', will be announced soon and will take place between 25-27 September.  For more info see here: www.dropsofbreath.com/

Piraeus key port for Carnival Vista in Mediterranean

Piraeus will be the key port for Carnival Vista - Carnival Cruise Lines' largest ship – in the Mediterranean. Accommodating 4,000 passengers and more than 1,500 crew it will introduce ground breaking features such as SkyRide - a suspended open-air cycling activity. Carnival Vista will launch its Mediterranean cruise programme in spring 2016 which will also include two other Greek ports. For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/03/19/piraeus-announced-homeport-for-carnival-vista-2016/

Ikos Resorts  to upgrade their all-inclusive experience

The luxury Ikos Resorts in Halkidiki have launched their innovative “Infinite Lifestyle” all-inclusive experience. Michelin-starred chefs, prize-winning sommeliers and inventive mixologists will offer guests the chance to choose from a wide array of menus, wines and drinks while retaining the one-bill-for-all deal. Management is also supporting local businesses by providing clients with a special option to dine out as part of its package deal as well as by purchasing ingredients and products from local producers. For more info see here: http://ikosresorts.com/infinite-lifestyle/infinite-gastronomy/

“The Silk Road” leads to Sani

Aiming to prove, through culinary experiences, that eating traditions across the Mediterranean and into the East still create a bond between cultures, Sani Gourmet introduces “The Silk Road – Part 2” culinary experience to run between 8-17 May at the Sani Resort in Halkidiki. The weeklong event will offer visitors a culinary tour of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia. Among the international  chefs that will take over Sani Resorts kitchens are Greece's Tasos Mantis of the Michelin star “Hytra” restaurant, the innovative Anar V. Gasimov from Azerbaijan, India's Michelin-star-winning Alfred Prasad, Hamid Salimian from Persia, and the creator of Supra Nova – Georgian Nouvelle Cuisine, Tekuna Gachechiladze. For more info see here: http://www.sanigourmet.gr/

Running & swimming in the volcanic island of Santorini

Thira Municipality, Municipal Sports Cultural & Environmental Organization in Santorini (DAPPOS) and the award-winning Group Active Media are co-organizing the ”Santorini Experience”, a three-day sports event in one of the most iconic destinations in Greece. Sports fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique paths outlined by the organisers, run the idyllic path from Fira to Oia and compete on a 1.5 mile swimming race from the volcano to the old port, in one of the most beautiful and picturesque islands in Greece. It is worth noting that the organization will offer one euro from each participation towards the concentration of an amount to be given to Thira Municipality for the construction of an athletic field in Santorini island. For more info and registration see here: www.santorini-experience.com; www.eventora.com/en/Events/santorini-experi

Municipality of Athens and SEGAS to co-host three major sports events

The Municipality of Athens and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) have announced the launch of a five-year cooperation plan regarding three major athletic and tourism events in the Greek capital of Athens. The municipality and SEGAS will join forces for the organisation of the “Athens Half Marathon”, the “Athens Marathon, The Authentic” and the “Athens Street Pole Vault”, a new sport event that will take place in an open space in the Greek capital.

The fourth Athens Half Marathon will take place on 3 May and organisers are expecting the numbers this year to break records. The Half Marathon Race will be held in parallel to a 5km and a 3km Road Race as well as a 1000m race especially designed for people with disabilities and Special Olympics athletes. According to SEGAS, between the four races, some 18,000 runners are expected to be in the streets of Athens. For more info see here: http://www.athinahalfmarathon.gr/index.php?lang=en; http://news.gtp.gr/2015/03/12/athens-street-pole-vault-greek-capital-to-host-new-sport-event-in-open-space

Athens is the cheapest city in Western Europe says Post Office Survey 

The Post Office's annual Travel Money City Costs Barometer has found Athens to be the cheapest city for visitors in Western Europe. City breaks have overtaken beach holidays to become the most popular choice for UK tourists and Athens offers the fifth best value across the whole of Europe. The Barometer collects data on costs of spend on typical items a city break visitor would buy. These include a three course evening meal with wine – which in Athens averaged at £29.15 for two, drinks, two nights' accommodation, airport transfers, sightseeing attractions and city transport which totals £131.35. For more info see here: http://bit.ly/1yvQR1j

GNTO wins '2014 EMEA Destination Campaign of the Year' award

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was awarded the 2014 EMEA Destination Campaign of the Year 2014 by Expedia's advertising division – Expedia Media Solutions. Expedia Media Solutions created the “What's your pleasure?” campaign, including a dedicated landing page, banner ads, and a Pinterest sweepstakes to drive engagement with the UK audience.

The annual EMEA Partner Awards are a global awards programme that recognizes groundbreaking campaigns with exemplary innovation and success in digital marketing and advertising. For more info see here: http://www.advertising.expedia.com/about/press-releases/expedia-media-solutions-announces-2014-emea-partner-award-recipients-itb-berlin/

Athens sweeps three awards

• Athens is among the top 25 Travelers' Choice Destinations announced by TripAdvisor travel site. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
• Athens International Airport was named “Airport of the Year” in the 10-30 million passengers category at the Air Transport News (ATN) 2015 awards ceremony that took place in Geneva.
• The Galaxy Bar of the Hilton Athens hotel was named one of the top 10 rooftop bars in the world by Premier Traveler magazine, a leading, award winning American publication for frequent and luxury travellers.

For more info see here: http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/PT_Picks_-_World%E2%80%99s_Top_Ten_Rooftop_Bars/76/2469.aspx; http://news.gtp.gr/2015/03/23/athens-international-airport-collects-airport-of-the-year-award/;  http://news.gtp.gr/2015/03/26/tripadvisor-athens-among-top-25-worlds-best-destinations/

-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.