28 million arrivals expected in Greece in 2017

Positive signs for industry 

All the signs indicate that Greek tourism is expecting a very successful summer season.

Greek hotel owners and industry professionals are confident the current season will be extended based on messages by foreign tour operators and are already setting their eyes on the next season. 

2017 is considered a success, despite the slow start in the year, as the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) expects arrivals to exceed 28 million (including cruise-ships), with estimates of revenue reaching 14.5 billion euros.

According to a study conducted by GBR Consulting, Athens and Thessaloniki saw a double digit rise in revenues during the first quarter of 2017, while the data for resort bookings was also impressive. 

Meanwhile, the Hellenic Hotel Federation predict vacancy capacities will hover around record numbers for the season, provided stability remains in the wider region. 

However, the issue of the tax for overnight stays, which is scheduled to take effect from the start of 2018 is of concern in the industry, as it will push revenues down.

Traditional galatopita

By: Georgia Kofina | 23.05.2017 | Desserts, Greek Classics, Mediterranean Cooking

Galatopita, or milk pie, is a traditional Greek dessert that is made with or without crisp phyllo and a super-satisfying custard cream made with semolina flour. You will absolutely love it!

Serves: – Preparation: 15′ Cooks in: 60′ Ready in: 1:15′
 
Ingredients
3lt sheep milk
1½ cup fine semolina flour
½ cup semolina flour
1½ cup granulated sugar
6 eggs
½ tsp vanilla
lemon or orange zest
2 tbsp butter, melted
icing sugar + cinnamon for dusting

Method

Step 1
Brush a heavy pan with water. Bring milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, lemon zest and butter to a simmer. Whisk in semolina, a little at a time, with a wooden spoon, and simmer, whisking constantly, until custard thickens and reaches consistency of loose mashed potatoes. Remove pan from heat and let cool a little.

Step 2
Preheat oven at 170C. Whisk together eggs, remaining sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined. Add in warm semolina mixture (not hot) and whisk, a little at a time, to temper yolks.

Step 3
Pour mixture in a baking pan (40cm diameter) brushed well with butter. Put oven rack in middle position and bake for 45-50 minutes until filling is golden and top is nicely browned (to test, insert a skewer into the middle of the pie; if the skewer comes out clean, it’s ready).

Step 4
Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners sugar and cinnamon.

Photo of the day..

April at Plakias..

Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

Plakiassuites 

Money Magazine Includes Crete Among ’10 Best European Destinations’

The island of Crete in Greece is considered the third “Best European Destination” by Money magazine, mainly due to its numerous attractions and competitive prices. 

Money is a magazine that is published by Time Inc. and includes articles that cover personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues.

Taking into consideration the “record low summer transatlantic airfares” and the strong U.S. dollar, the magazine urges travelers to pack their walking shoes and travel from the United States to popular European destinations such as Crete, Paris, Prague, Rome, Italy and Barcelona, among others.

Money named Crete a “best destination for your money” due to its world-famous sites like the Palace of Knossos, its outdoor attractions, beautiful beaches, distinct culture and cuisine.

The Elafonisi Beach and the Balos Beach and Lagoon are suggested by the magazine as Crete’s must-see spots.
According to Money, the cost to spend a week for two on Crete would reach $3,697 as ticket prices have gone down nine percent since 2016, while hotel prices have dropped as well.

The “10 Best European Destinations” are:

1. Prague, Czech Republic
2. Paris, France
3. Crete, Greece
4. Krakow, Poland
5. Rome, Italy
6. Lisbon, Portugal
7. Budapest, Hungary
8. Barcelona, Spain
9. Berlin, Germany
10. Riga, Latvia

The top 10 cities scored highest on overall cost factors, giving the most weight to the price of airfare, lodging, and food, as well as the biggest year-over-year price drops.

Money also considered the number of restaurants and attractions each place offered, as well as experience factors like low crime rates, pleasant weather and ease of access to public transportation.
(source:gtp)

New review on Booking.com: "Beautiful accommodation, right by the sea"

"Great, comfortable accommodation, very nice staff and just a few steps from the sea.  

At the most beautiful beach section of the bay.  

We felt like at home!"

Thank U Mary lein

Plakiassuites: Exceptional 9.5/10 from 22 reviews on
Booking.com

Greece among top choices for American travelers

Greece is ranked 11th in the preferences of American travelers as a tourist destination, according to online platform “TripHobo”.

The data was collected based on the choices of 700,000 users and revealed that American holidaymakers picked Greece as one of their most popular choices over the last six months.

Canada took first spot, followed by Mexico, Italy and Britain. Californians and Texans loved traveling the most, followed by people from Florida and New York, with the most active travelers being between the ages of 25 and 34.

Millenials traveled more and made more independent travel plans, opting for experience-based holidays. The same group is expected to travel even more in 2017.

There was an increasing trend for shorter getaways, which were the most popular option with an average stay between 3 to 4 days.
 
1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Italy
4. Britain
5. France
6. Spain
7. Ireland
8. Japan
9. Germany
10. Thailand
11. Greece
12. Netherlands
13. Switzerland

TripAdvisor: Greek Islands Among Top Destinations in Europe in 2017

Recognizing travelers’ favorite places around the world, travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor has included Crete, Santorini and Rhodes in the top 20 of its top Travelers’ Choice Destinations in Europe for 2017, based on the preferences of travelers.

According to the Travelers’ Choice awards for European destinations by TripAdvisor, Crete is fourth most popular destination in Europe, Santorini is the 16th and Rhodes is the 18th.

Crete also came in sixth among Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Destinations in the World in 2017.

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, as well as traveler booking interest on TripAdvisor.
The awards honor 418 outstanding destinations in 24 lists across the globe.

“We’re excited to reveal our community’s favorite travel destinations for 2017 and recognize these iconic places with Travelers’ Choice awards,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.
(source:gtp)