How Greece is extending its tourism season, one island at a time
by James Litston (TTG article)
Crystal waters, lovely beaches, friendly locals and fabulous food: is it any wonder that clients are clamouring for Greece? According to figures from the UK Office of National Statistics, Greece accounted for 5% of trips abroad last year, making it the fourth most visited destination after Spain, France and Italy for British holidaymakers. What’s even more remarkable is that most of those holidays would have been squeezed into the months between May and October, the main tourist season.
Things, however, are starting to change.
Government-level intervention also plays a part in growing the season. At an EU tourism conference earlier this year, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced plans to stretch his nation’s tourism beyond the typical five-month window. According to Eleni Skarveli, UK director for the Greece National Tourism Organisation, relevant initiatives are already rolling out.
“We have been collaborating with British tour operators to extend summer tourism,” she says, “both to popular destinations like Corfu, Rhodes, Crete and Kos, but also to cities and cultural hotspots on the mainland with year-round appeal, such as Thessaloniki, Kalavrita, Epirus and Olympia.”
Luxury specialist Planet Holidays is already a step ahead. “We’ve offered Athens year-round for more than two decades,” says its director, Harry Kyrillou. “New for this winter is 91 Athens Riviera, a wellness retreat by the sea with easy access to the city; plus we can enhance any booking with multi-day classical tours to Delphi and Meteora’s cliff-top monasteries.”
Recent years have also seen Planet Holidays expand its off-season city-break offering to Thessaloniki, Heraklion (Crete) and Rhodes Town. A seven-night B&B October stay in Rhodes Town’s 10GR (a boutique hotel in a millennium-old building that once accommodated Crusades-bound knights) costs from £1,382pp, including transfers and Stansted flights. “Car hire is economical off-season,” adds Kyrillou, “so clients can self-drive and explore Lindos and other Rhodian highlights without the crowds.”
Some islands, particularly Crete and Santorini, already buck the trend by operating longer seasons. One hotelier on the Cycladic isle has taken the plunge to stay open year-round.
Non-stop flights from the UK continue until 3 November, after which clients can connect to the island via Athens.
Planet Holidays is a member of AITO, established for 2 decades with a luxury programme that encompasses all that the directors, Mathilde Robert and Harry Kyrillou, both love about Greece & Cyprus.
"We continue to provide a huge selection of luxury holidays that will entice your clients to wrap themselves in the charms of popular resorts, alongside those that are lesser-known also."
To make things easier for you, we havve put together a variety of packages which include the essential touches our couples usually ask us to organise. You'll also have the opportunity to add other 'extras' to make it as personalised as you wish it to be.
View our wedding packagesWe have unique relationships with a whole range of respected and excellent suppliers and all have been selected for their quality of service and their commitment to Planet Weddings. We will take care of everything from wedding flowers, wedding transport, right through to decorations and hair & beauty.
View our finishing touchesComplete the form below to have one of our team contact you regarding the preparations for your special day.