0 Holiday Hypermarket: Optimistic Outlook for Greek Holidays in 2012

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Santorini Tours

According to leading online travel retailer, Holiday Hypermarket, Greek holidays will see moderate growth this summer

Greek tourism is tipped to see moderate growth in 2012 due to lower airfares and attractive rates in island destinations like Crete, Mykonos and Corfu, say leading online travel retailer, Holiday Hypermarket. This follows statements from Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the U.N. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), who affirmed Greece’s popularity as a tourism destination.

In 2011, around 10 per cent more travelers booked Greek holidays, and with tourism accounting for 15 per cent of the economy as well as one in five jobs, it is a crucial aspect of the Greek way of life. As a result, both the mainland and surrounding islands boast a large number of holiday resorts with great facilities.

Greek tourism bodies have launched campaigns to promote tourism abroad. For example, UP Greek Tourism is an initiative that employs outdoor advertising, traditional and social media to promote inbound tourism, particularly among German and British travelers who are eager visitors to Greece’s coastal and island resorts.

Calum MacDonald, Online Marketing Manager at Holiday Hypermarket, comments, ‘Greece is slowly climbing into the top 10 tourist destinations in the world with plenty to offer families, honeymooning couples and young friends looking for a party destination. Tourism resorts on the coast are continuing to provide excellent package holidays to visitors from abroad no matter the political situation. As one of the most attractive countries in southern Europe, Greece is a great place to book a beach holiday this summer.’

Source: PR Newswire

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Supermoon Coming Tonight

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Santorini Tours

Full moon over Santorini island

On Saturday night, the full moon will be closer to Earth than at any other time this year, an occurrence that’s been labeled a supermoon.

Due to the moon’s egg-shaped orbit, there are times when our natural satellite is at perigee—its closest to Earth—and at apogee, its farthest.

The term ‘supermoon’ was coined in 1979 to describe a full moon that coincides with perigee—something that happens about once a year, on average.

During this week’s perigee, the moon will be 221,801 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, and that close approach will happen within minutes of the official full moon phase.

‘As a consequence, this translates into it appearing as much as 16 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than other full moons of 2012—not a huge amount, but definitely noticeable,’ said Geza Gyuk, an astronomer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

The moon’s proximity won’t have any major effects on our planet, according to astronomers, who hope to dispel fears that the looming lunar orb causes natural disasters.

‘While we know that during new and full moons the tides are greatest—and if it’s in concert with a storm surge it might produce unusual flooding—there is no scientific evidence that earthquakes and other natural disasters are connected,’ Gyuk said.

‘Supermoons have been happening for billions of years, and nothing particularly special occurs on these dates—except, of course, for a beautiful full moon.’

Because the size of the moon’s orbit varies slightly, each monthly perigee is not always the same distance from Earth.

In March 2011, for example, sky-watchers were treated to the closest supermoon in two decades, when the moon was a mere 221,565 miles (356,575 kilometers) from Earth.

And next month the full moon will again roughly coincide with perigee, albeit one that puts the moon a bit farther away, at 222,750 miles (358,482 kilometers), Gyuk said.

‘The full moon will appear to be just half of one percent different in size,’ Gyuk said. ‘So if you miss this month’s supermoon, don’t worry, you can see it again when it is only one percent less bright.’

Source: National Geographic

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Archaeological Film Festival

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Santorini Tours

Can the Caryatid’s hairstyle be reproduced? Why did the Gauls loose the heads? How many archaeological treasures lie hidden in the depths of Greek seas?

The International meeting of Archaeological Film of the Mediterranean (AGON) taking place on May 7-13, promises to offer answers all these questions. This is the ninth session for the biannual event held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Lambrakis Foundation.

The event features more than 60 archaeology films, both fiction and non-fiction, on a variety of issues covering not just antiquity, but the Middle Ages and industrial archaeology as well. Screenings will be held at the Greek Film Archive.

Screening programme & Trailers [VIDEO]

Source: Greek News Agenda

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TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2012: Santorini Nr1 in Greece

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Santorini Tours

The internationally renowned TripAdvisor site published today the best destinations lists for all over the world for 2012, based on the opinion of its visitors (Travelers’ Choice 2012).

In the list for Greece, Santorini is ranked first, while in the one for European destinations, Santorini featured at No. 19, among Paris, Edinburgh, Berlin, Venice, Vienna and others.

Santorini is the only destination representing Greece in the list of 25 best European destinations. We think worthy!

TripAdvisor Discribes Santorini:

Black-sand beaches. Whitewashed buildings perched cliffside above an impossibly blue sea. Santorini is so beautiful we’re having trouble finding words to describe it. Just look at a picture—we bet you’ll want to catch the next flight.

Destinations in Europe

Destinations in Greece

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Austrian press on the side of Greek tourism

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Santorini Tours

Positive impact in improving the status of bookings, from Austria for holiday in Greece, in the first quarter this year, showed double-digit reduction in comparison to last year, is expected to have the tributes to Greece, as an important tourist and traditional Austrian destination, published in the weekend Austrian newspapers.

These tourist tributes add to the unprecedented in history, solidarity campaign for Greece, which began in Austria on Thursday, aiming to inform, not only tourism professionals but rather the public that all Austrian tourism operators support Greece as the largest air summer destination.

Campaign slogan, with which popular tour operators TUI, Gulet, Thomas Cook, Neckermann, ITS Billa, Jahn Reisen, Lauda air and Fly Niki join forces – in cooperation with the GNTO Office in Austria – for the joint Campaign for the Austrian public is: ‘For true friends counts trust only‘.

Source: AMNA

 

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Graduate MSc Program on tourism by the Aegean University

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Santorini Tours

The Business Administration Department in cooperation with the Department of Geography, Environment and Social Anthropology, University of Aegean organize and operate the Graduate Program ‘Design, Management and Tourism Policy‘ for the academic year 2012-2013 on the island of Chios.

The Graduate Studies leading to decision M.Sc. (PDS) in the following directions:
- Tourism Strategy
- Hospitality Management
after completion of three (3) semesters courses, of which two are direct educational supervision and the third includes the thesis writing.

The number of students will not more than in 25 each direction.

Note that the MSc students admitted after interview and after taking into account the aptitude and skills of domestic or foreign Graduates, as well as TEI graduates, according to the applicable provisions.

More info at tel. +30 22710-35322, +30 22710-35323, fax +30 22710-35399, e-mail: mstath@aegean.gr and at the website http://tourism-pms.aegean.gr/

Source: traveldailynews.gr

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Summer schedule of archaeological sites and museums

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Santorini Tours

The Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Petros Alivizatos sent last Thursday instructions to the Ministry’s General Secretary of Culture, regarding the issue of the summer schedule of archaeological sites and museums in the country.

Mr. Alivizatos, acknowledging the delay in the proceedings by hiring seasonal staff through ASEP (Supreme Council for Personnel Selection) due to the coming elections, which is not allowing the issuance of an administrative act for the summertime, as well as the strong protests of the tourism world, called for the immediate provision of temporary opening hours at this period from 9:30 to 17:30.

The temporary operation during this period negates the need for two shifts personnel, in order for the premises to operate beyond 15:00.

The public can visit the places under the Ministry’s authority between 10:00 to 17:00, overcoming this way the staffing difficulties faced by regional offices on security personnel.

The schedule does not apply to archaeological sites already operating with two shifts beyond 15:00, such as the Acropolis of Athens, who continue with their existing schedule.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alivizatos issued advice for making better use of existing security personnel, calling to disengage it immediately from any duties and facilities they are not responsible for, and to adjust the running services to improve them in order to achieve the best security of the sites.

Source: news.travelling.gr

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Optimism for Greek tourism

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Santorini Tours

GNTO General Secretary, Giorgos Koletsos, visited Crete in one of the most important annual conferences of the European tourism industry. Congress ‘Destination Meets Online 2012′ held in Rethymno on Saturday 21.04.2012, under the auspices of the Greek Tourism Organization bringing together over 120 high executives of German Tour Operators involving modern technology.

The meeting was attended among others by President of Germany Travel Operators, Mr. Juergen Buechy and senior representatives of TO Thomas Cook, REWE, Expedia, FTI Touristik etc.

Particularly important was the aspect of Germany Travel Operators President, Mr. Juergen Buechy. As stated among other things, the negative sentiment has begun to reverse as cooperation between the two countries in this field has begun. GNTO General Secretary underlined the importance of the Congress held for the first time in Greece , that the GNTO goals in terms of the tourist market of Germany fully coincide with those of the German Tour Operators and other operators of tourism and that funds will be available to support specific communication and promotional programs of tours to Greece. The Region Head of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis who actively supported the effort of organizing the conference, welcomed the participants and all tourists choose to spend their holidays in Crete.

It is worth noting that the intense mood of German tourists and increased use of Internet and electronic media together with a desire to control spending occurs constantly in the observed increase in sales over the Internet.

Source: news.travelling.gr

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Direct flights Athens – Philadelphia from early May

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Santorini Tours

Beginning early May, the US Airways, has scheduled daily direct flights to Athens from Philadelphia.

Specifically, from 6 to 26 May, flights will take place daily except Tuesday and Thursday and from 27 May to end-September will be daily.

The routes are as follows:

PHL-ATH

May 06-26: Daily except TUE, THU – Departure: 16.20 – Arrival: 09.15

May 27 – Sep 29: Daily – Departure: 16.20 – Arrival: 09.15

ATH-PHL

May 06-26: Daily except TUE, THU – Departure: 11.30- Arrival: 15.50

May 27 – Sep 29: Daily – Departure: 11.30- Arrival: 15.50

Source: news.travelling.gr

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Today, Wednesday, April 11, opens the archaeological site of Akrotiri

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Santorini Tours

Akrotiri Excavations in Santorini

Today, Wednesday, April 11, opens the archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini, after the completion of reception for use of the project ‘Enhancement, Formation and roof replacement of Akrotiri Archaeological Site’.

‘Akrotiri is a very important area, which attracts thousands of visitors. We want it open, accessible, safe and extroverted. The experience of visiting the Akrotiri is unique’ said Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Pavlos Geroulanos.

Santorini Mayor, Mr. Anastasios Nikolaos Zorzos set the staff of the Municipality of Thira to serve as guards, in odrer to complement the existing Ministry staff.

Operating Hours: The site will be open to visit from 10 am until 5 pm.

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