Greek Community of Alexandria

Category: TOURISM

News about tourism in Greece, Egypt and Cyprus

  • The Peloponnese in Greece is the best place in Europe to visit in 2016

    The Peloponnese in Greece is the best place in Europe to visit in 2016

    ΓενικάTravel guide publisher Lonely Planet has released its annual list of the best places to visit in Europe, this year opting for a mix of the usual suspects (Venice, the Dordogne) and a scattering of off-the-beaten track places such as the Dutch island of Texel.

    Topping the list is the the Peloponnese, a region often overlooked by travellers to Greece, who tend to visit the islands or build a sightseeing trip around Athen’s iconic Acropolis.

    The region is described as “an affordable enclave of magnificent ancient sights like Olympia, Mycenae and Mystra”. The recently opened Menalon trail provides a new way to explore the region, which is popular with hikers.

    (www.theguardian.com)

  • Chios named one of the best diving sites in Europe

    Chios named one of the best diving sites in Europe

    ΓενικάAs the Greek summer approaches, an international distinction gives Chios a well-deserved and much needed boost. 

    One of the most beautiful islands of the Aegean, Chios was a travel destination for the conoisseurs, attracting high-profile tourists. As the homeland of many shipping magnates, and a place blessed with the mastique trees that have been central for its economy, the island has never relied too much on tourism, which has helped preserve its identity and authentic colours. 

    But now, a new wave of focused tourist is bound to visit Chios, as it is voted among the top 10 best dive sites in Europe. According to international diving website divein.com, Chios is the best place to scuba dive in Greece, containing “some of the most amazing underwater caves, colourful and large reef formations, vertical walls, beautiful underwater rock formations, and glorious shipwrecks. This place is a great dive site for beginner divers since the water is very visible and the temperatures are moderate, especially during the months of April through October”.

    Chios has been at the epicenter of the current refugee crisis, as its close proximity to the Turkish shores have made the island one of the people smugglers preferred destinations. Last years, thousands of refugees arrived to the island and the tourism industry was worried about the effect that this factor would have on the economy. Such distinctions offer a valuable boost to the island’s status as an international destination, amidst an ongoing financial and humanitarian crisis. 

    (neoskosmos.com)

  • Grow Greek Tourism Online’ initiative supported by Google

    Grow Greek Tourism Online’ initiative supported by Google

    ΓενικάUsers will have the opportunity to be trained on how they will upgrade their presence on the web

    Google announced at a press conference on Wednesday that it supports the initiative “Grow Greek Tourism Online.”

    In cooperation with the Economy, Development and Tourism Ministry and the National Greek Tourism Organisation as well as the Greek Tourism Enterprises Association, Google announced the implementation of a free web education platform for tourism.

    Through a wide range of topics, the users will have the opportunity to be trained on how they will upgrade their presence on the web. The users will also be able to select an adapted education plan and receive a certificate by GGTO initiative and IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) Europe.

    All local enterprises, tourism professionals as well as those who want to develop their potential the web offers can be informed in detail for the education programs available in their region via the official website of the initiative -greektourism.withgoogle.com.

    (en.protothema.gr)

  • Egypt, Greece sign MoU on tourism coop

    Egypt, Greece sign MoU on tourism coop

    Greece-EgyptMinister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou and his Greek counterpart Elena Kountoura signed on Monday 22/2/2016 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation between the two countries.

    At a joint press conference following the signing ceremony, the minister asserted that the agreement is an important step and a cornerstone for tourism relations between the two countries.

    He also welcomed the Greek tourism minister’s visit that will greatly contribute to enhancing the Greek tourism movement to Egypt.

    Zaazou also said that the agreement stipulates cooperation in the tourism exchange, promotion for the Egyptian tourism programs in remote markets such as US and South East Asia as well as cooperation in the religious tourism domain.

    The Greek minister, for her part, voiced happiness at visiting Egypt and expressed her admiration of the Egyptian civilization and the warm welcome she has received in Egypt.

    She asserted that Egypt will restore its position as a strong tourist destination in the region as soon as possible, citing its varied tourist destinations and great civilization which could attract tourists all along the year.

    Kountoura also noted that her country welcomed the measures taken to bolster bilateral relations and beef up existing relations in all domains.

    She said the MoU will encourage both countries on exchanging information, campaigning for promotion programs and working jointly for the sake of flourishing their tourism markets in both countries.

    The agreement will also ease investment measures for Greek and Egyptian businessmen to carry out joint tourism projects, she added.

    The Tourism Promotion Authority has prepared a tourist program for the Greek minister and her accompanying media delegation that will include tours in the main tourist sites in Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and other tourism locations.

    (www.sis.gov.eg)