The workshop attended by representatives from all tour operators of Germany and journalists, who had the opportunity to see for theirself the image of Athens and the security provided to the visitor, weakening the different feel, creating by reporters in demonstrations days in the city center.

Representatives of German tourist organizations highlighted the need for Greece to redefine its tourist profile. Said that Greece has become intertwined with the image of ‘Zorba’ and adheres to sell the ancient monuments according to the logic of the 60s, which is not only overcome, but no longer interested in the modern tourist who seeks to live the cultural experience in a different way to enjoy food and fun, like the local population. The new generation, they said, does not know what a ‘Zorba’ and ‘Kazantzakis’ is, while the country needs to highlight the cultural strengths, correcting its services and infrastructures.

Athens, moreover, as noted, has been unable to obtain tourist location, similar to Barcelona and Berlin, although the potential in a variety of landscape, cultural and entertainment facilities are endless. The images of the capital with strikes, demonstrations and damage are not Greek phenomenon, is happening everywhere and is very easy to forget and to reverse the climate. What Athens needs, is a new master plan.

The German tour operator also reported that:

- Greece has to turn to the ‘Third Age’, which continuously extends shares around the world traveling more and more.

- The hoteliers must continuously update their product and promptly adapt to the demands of their clientele.

-Easy access to island destinations with dense and stable routes remains a challenge by German tour operators.

- Special mention was made for the airport of Heraklion ‘Nikos Kazantzakis’, which is the second most visited but first in terms of tourism importance for Greece, airport which the critical summer months causes shutter to tourism and discredit the country’s image.

Source: www.xenianews.gr

Specifically, building on the excellent relationship with authorities such as GNTO offices and on the  consulting company networking, a travel PR program developed and implemented in selected media of the most important markets, providing advertising space and time worth several hundred thousand euro, free of charge the Municipality, except in certain services and facilities in some – not all – cases. One of the key features of the program is the emphasis on established geographic markets of interest, the priority in television productions, the emphasis in strong European markets and exploit opportunities in lucrative markets such as Australia and the USA. At the same time attention is paying to special interests such as gastronomy or with the inclusion of specific topics in specials or inviting special interest journalists.

Briefly mentioned the main of the actions, while the dynamic program will be enriched with new additions:

- ‘Espanioles en el mundo’. Eight minutes of airtime on leading television station in Spain, ‘TVE’. Promotions valued around 100,000 euros.

- Extensive tribute in the British newspaper ‘Telegraph’ and the website. Promotion valued at least 30,000 euros.

- Extensive tribute in Conde Nast Traveler USA for Santorini as the ideal cruise destination. (MTC GROUP is the exclusive representative agent in Greece). Estimated value of at least 100,000 euros.

- Contribute to the preparation of the Britain prestigious magazine Lonely Planet editorial team voyage. The plans of the journal is to publish multi-page article in the premier travel magazine for the upper class travellers of Britain.

- Ensure travel video tribute by leading television station NTV Japan which attracts more than 10,000,000 viewers. Estimated value at least 150,000 euros.

- Ensure Austrian journalists’ travel  caused many publications in local media since the autumn of 2011.

- Extensive tribute in the journal ‘Virgin Australia’ distributed to hundreds of thousands of air passengers having Santorini in front page and media coverage in the middle pages. Estimated value at least 100,000 euros.

Direct actions, to be implemented, include:

- Ensuring the prestigious Australian journalist Daniel Scott visit.

- Ensure the OUT TV (Dutch TV) crew station visit.

- Visit of a travel photographer and author of the Inflight Magazine of VUELING company that this year is launching direct flights to the destination.

- Ensure a Cucina Italiana (top gastronomy magazine readers to 1,000,000) journalist visit.

- Ensuring publishing in the top Italian fashion magazine, ELLE in the near future.

The official announcement of the candidacies will be presented at the European Museum Forum that will be held 16-19 May at the Municipal Museum of Penafiel in Portugal.

The ‘European Museum Award’ was established in 1977 under the auspices of the European Council.

Only one Greek museum, the Peloponnesian Laographic Institute in Nafplion in 1981 has received the specific award in the past.

Source: AMNA

The illustrated lengthy tribute has extensive reference to the efforts of 30 year-old Pierre-Yves Cousteau to create a marine park at the island. It frashs back to the shooting by Jacques Yves Cousteau for the documentary on the lost Atlantis, the visit of Pierre-Yves in Santorini island, the tipping  of the plate to mark the 100 years since the birth of his father in 2011 the sea bottom and his involvement in National Geographic documentary ‘Secrets of the Mediterranean.

‘I fell in love with this place,’ says Pierre-Yves for Santorini.

His efforts to create a marine park came as a natural extension. His study made in collaboration with Greek and foreign scientists shows up to be matched by the Niarchos Foundation, which approved a donation for the development of protected area.

The whole tribute here

The ‘Open Doors’ has been established in recent years in Greece, aiming for each participating winery to create an event around the wine that will bring consumers the vicinity of production. It is an opportunity for the public to see closely the developments in relation to a product that has a thousands of years history in Greece.

Santorini wineries Argyros, Boutari, Gavalas, Hatzidakis, A. Karamolegou, Koutsogiannopoulos , Roussos, Sigala and the Gaia are waiting for wine lovers to have a tour and taste their wines and offer 20% discount on wine purchases at their sales.

Sources: atlantis, TO VIMA

Museum of Acropolis in Athens

With atmospheric musical performances and free admission for all, the Acropolis Museum celebrates International Museum Day and the European Night of Museums.

In particular, Friday, May 18, 2012 at 11 am, on the second floor balcony overlooking the hall of ancient sculpture, Marios Strofalis will give a piano recital dedicated to Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis, while at 7 pm the Mikis Theodorakis’ quartet the same artist will play music of Mediterranean Europe (European Taxim).

The same day, the Museum will begin to sale the available copies of sculptures in its shops. On the occasion of International Museum Day, the Museum established the cutting of commemorative coins to bring visitors closer to the small but popular exhibits of its collections. Admission is free for everyone from 8 am to 10 pm and the restaurant until midnight.

The Acropolis Museum will be open, with free entrance, also Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 8 am to midnight to celebrate the European Night of Museums. At 9.30 pm in the courtyard of the Symphonic Orchestra of Athens Municipality will interpret the latest symphony of W. A. Mozart and F. J. Haydn, two of the most important representatives of musical classicism.

Source: AMNA

The extra two days on June 4 and 5 mean employees need only take three days annual leave to get an extra week-long holiday, and surveys show UK residents are planning to make the most of their time off.

According to a survey by Britain’s travel association ABTA, six million Britons are estimated to take a holiday during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend, with Greece ranking as top destination for this period.

The UK’s largest independent travel agency loveholidays.com announced that 47% of the Jubilee weekend bookings are for Greek destinations. Corfu has taken top position with 44% of Greek bookings and almost 21% overall, earning the title of absolute Jubilee holiday destination.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Tamara Ecclestone

Tamara Ecclestone, the socialite, television personality and model, is the elder daughter of Croatian former Armani model Slavica Ecclestone and middle daughter of ‘Formula 1 Supremo’ Bernie Ecclestone.

Tamara Ecclestone has been involved in fundraising for the Great Ormond Street Hospital and other charity activities to benefit sick children. She also posed for an anti-fur advertisement for PETA.

A few days ago, she boarded her private jet to the island of Santorini to shoot her calendar for Great Ormond Street hospital.

Before boarding her private plane Tamara posted: ‘Leaving for Greece in a few hours to shoot my calendar so excited. Lots to do before I leave!‘

Upon her arrival she wrote: ‘Just landed in Santorini going to have a late dinner then bed early start tomorrow can’t wait to shoot my 1st calendar.’

She tweeted the first morning: ‘Up early so excited first day of calendar shoot.’ Tamara was clearly pleased with her day’s work, tweeting afterwards: ‘Great first day shoot in Santorini its beautiful here.’

Sources: Daily Mail, Wikipedia

In the occasion the cruise ship ‘Norwegian Spirit’ for the first time approach at the Port of Piraeus which was deployed in the Caribbean, the general manager of PPA Stavros Hatzakis, welcomed the master, officers and passengers, who were given plaques and gifts .

The cruise ship with 2,639 passengers and 961 crew members has a length of 268 meters.

Launching ships from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean shows the policy shift of large companies to the areas of history and culture, such as Greece and Athens, PPA officials believe.

Noted that in late April, the start of the new cruise season, ‘Queen Elisabeth’ and ‘Queen Mary’ approached among other ships the port of Piraeus.

Recalled that the port approached in 2011, 936 cruise ships with 2.515.191 passengers arrivals and departures (35% increase).

According to the article:

With hundreds of islands to choose from, Greece can be a marvelous wonder but also a tedious task as to where to go! For first timers, there is a lot to offer, but choosing should be based on what you like.  Each island has trademarked their own experience it offers to tourists, so do your research and go there this year as bargains can be found all around!

Nevertheless, this is a compilation for the top Greek islands that one must hit first time round, in no particular order.

1. Santorini – for the best sunset

People flock from all over to come face to face with this island’s famed sunset. Watch the big orange ball work its way down but then head off down to Fira Town Square where the nightlife gets busy.  When the night winds down around 6 AM, call Kamari Beach to book a bed and enjoy a day’s worth of lazy lounging.

Source: www.neurope.eu