New Tourism Minister appointed for Greece

Elena Kountoura has been appointed Deputy Minister for Tourism following the Greek national elections held on the 25th of January 2015. Earlier today (29th January 2015), Mrs. Kountoura stated that: “no action will be taken against all-inclusive products. On the contrary, a further quality improvement of all inclusive products will enhance the diffusion of the benefits of this specific tourism product in local markets and societies”. Greece's tourism portfolio is now part of the newly founded Ministry for Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism. The new ministry will among other things oversee development and competitiveness, shipping, tourism and infrastructure.

New bike sharing system launched in Rhodes

Launched earlier this month and following the lead of many European cities, the Municipality of Rhodes has now incorporated automated short-term bike sharing stations in five central locations. Local authorities plan to create bike routes throughout the city offering Rhodes visitors and residents a friendlier environment and upgrading their tourism offer. The Rhodes bike-sharing scheme is sponsored by the Crete and the Aegean Regional Operational Program 2007-2013, under the guidance of Cyclopolis. For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2014/12/31/bike-sharing-latest-trend-greek-isle-rhodes/

Educational treasure hunt in Athens

In honour of the International Tour Guide Day, the Athens Licensed Tourist Guides Association will be hosting an educational and entertaining treasure hunt on 15 February 2015 in Athens. The 5th Treasure Hunt will introduce participants to many of Athens' leading sites, monuments and museums, such as Zappeion and the Byzantine Museum. The event kicks off at the Byzantine and Christian Museum, where participants will be able to register between 10am-12pm. Those accomplishing their mission will win free guided tours by the members of the association set for 1 March 2015. For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/01/23/treasure-hunt-athens-international-tourist-guide-day/.

Greece's airports were among Europe's best performers in November 2014,

According to a traffic report released by ACI Europe, which includes network, low cost and charter flights, several Greek airports showed a significant increase in passenger traffic in November 2014 in three out of the four European airport groups.  More specifically:

·       Group 2 (annual traffic between 10 and 25 million passengers)

Athens Airport 27.5% increase

·       Group 3(annual traffic at 5-10 million)

Heraklion Airport (Crete) 14.4% increase

·       Group 4,  (annual traffic less than 5 million yearly)

Santorini Airport 69% increase

Chania Airport (Crete) 67% increase

Kefallonia Airport 58.5% increase

For more info see here: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/01/12/greek-airports-among-europes-top-performers-november/

Recognition for Greek Islands and Greek hotels

·       Wanderlust magazine has placed the Greek island of Ikaria among its top 12 choices for this year's“12 of the World's Most Incredible Islands”.

·       Tripadvisor has included Santorini's Perivolas among 14 hotels with the most outrageous pools in the world.

·       Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award-winning hotel categories recognised the following Greek properties:

-        Top 25 Hotels for Families: Sani Beach Hotel (5th place), Holiday Village Rhodes (15th place), Club Med Gregolimano (21st place)

-        Top 25 Hotels for Romance: Anastasis Apartments (7th place), Lindos Blu (25th place)

-        Top 25 Small Hotels: Astra Suites (21st place)

-        Top 25 Bargain Hotels: Zante Star (22nd place)

-        Top 25 Bed & Breakfast and Inns: Aenaon Villas (21st place)

·       National Geographic' added The Kapari Natural Resort in Santorini in their “Unique Lodges of the World” collection – a list of boutique hotels in extraordinary places around the world with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, authenticity and excellence.

Art Athina teams up with Athens International Airport

Art-Athina International Exhibition of Contemporary Art celebrates its 20th anniversary by teaming up with Athens International Airport (AIA) to host six exhibitions throughout the year. The “Art and Environment” exhibition area, located at the Athens airport's Departures Level, will host the following three thematic displays:

·       “Athens of yesterday, today” January 12 – April 30

·       “The walls of Athens speak”, May 4 until August 30

·       “Contemporary art and public space in 21st century Athens”, September 7 until December 31,

In addition, the “Art and Culture” exhibition area, located in the airport's Arrivals Level will host three “Travel” exhibitions of renowned artists. For more info see here: https://www.aia.gr/company-and-business/press-and-Media/press-office/press-releases/art-athina.

A contemporary version of Sophocles' tragedy, Antigone, at the Barbican

Celebrated actress, Juliette Binoche will star in a new adaptation of Antigone, Sophocles' tragedy.  The Barbican commissioned TS Eliot Prize-winning poet Anne Carson to translate afresh Sophocles' world known tragedy. The classic play tells the story of Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, who faces death after she defies her uncle King Creon and buries her dead brother. For more info see here:  http://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=16573

Athens has been nominated to run for the title of “European Best Destination 2015″

European Best Destinations (EBD) – a European organization founded to promote tourism in Europe – has launched a competition for the best European destinations to visit in 2015. Athens will be competing with 19 European cities among them Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Istanbul, Innsbruck, Lisbon, Ljubljana and London. For more info see here:  http://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/vote   

Travel Trade Athens workshop to further promote Tourism

The 3rd Travel Trade Athens workshop taking place in Athens on the 27th of April 2015 aims to bring together tourism industry professionals and further promote Greece as a destination. With over 70 top tour operators from Europe, USA, Asia and other strategic markets the workshop provides the ideal ground to develop business opportunities. Travel Trade Athens is the signature annual trade event for the City of Athens, hosting selected international buyers focused on Athens & Greece. The event is jointly organized by the City of Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA). For more info see here:  http://traveltradeathens.com/

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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.