Alicia Gough looks at where tourism to Greece is headed in 2008, and previews six holiday brochures from key tour operators…
With UK tour operators reporting a growing trend in luxury Greek holidays to exclusive resorts and hotels, 2008 looks set to be the year of luxury and seclusion in Greece.
Managing Director of specialist tour operator Planet Holidays, Mathilde Robert, says: “Greece is at the forefront of top quality tourism and it is evolving each year as more and more properties are embellished to fit the ‘luxury’ tag.”
Luxury spas are especially hot this year. Planet Holidays is featuring spa properties throughout their 2008 programme, so too is specialist tour operator Simpson Travel. And Aldemar Hotels’ Royal Mare Village on Crete recently came fourth in the ‘Overseas Spa Retreats’ category of the Conde Nast Travellers Readers’ Awards 2008.
Alongside luxury is a return to the ‘real Greece’, with a demand for the more secluded, unspoiled destinations. New for 2008, Thomas Cook is featuring traditional Greek resorts on the mainland, like Stoupa, Aghios Nikolaos and Paralio Astros, as well as the unspoiled island of Samos.
Sunvil Specialist Greece Director, Dudley Der Parthog, says: “Samos seems to be flying off the shelves this year!”
Specialist tour operator Kosmar Holidays has responded to the demand for more traditional, secluded resorts by featuring destinations favoured by the Greeks themselves such as Parga, Stoupa and Finikounda on the Peloponnese and Lesvos, Paros, Naxos and Skopelos.
Trade and PR Officer for the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Manos Hatzimalonas, says: “The discerning British tourist is seeking a unique experience, whether it is through exclusive luxury new developments or secluded retreats in unexplored Greece.”
All of Greece is doing well in terms of tourism, with the vast majority of tour operators reporting an increase in sales to all destinations.
The number of UK tourists holidaying in Greece is still on the rise – 2.8 million British tourists visited Greece in 2007. Cosmos are up year on year for packages to nearly all the islands. And charter flight company Avro is expanding its flying programme to Greece for summer 2008, including new routes from Manchester, Bristol and Gatwick.
Here’s a look at what operators are offering in their 2008 Greece brochures.
Thomas Cook
Brochure: Manos Holidays Greece & Cyprus Summer 2008
What’s new? New gateways for 2008 include Peloponnese resorts as well as the unspoiled islands of Samos, Kalymons, Maganissi and Alonissos.
They say: “With the addition of the Greek specialist ‘Manos’ into our brand we are able to offer lesser-known secluded islands and traditional Greek resorts.”
We say: Focuses on quieter, unspoiled locations with accommodation ranging from simple family-run hotels to luxury waterside villas.
Sample package: £533 per person for seven nights’ self-catering at the three-star Aiolos Hotel Apartments in Stoupa, on the Peloponnese in June, based on two sharing. Including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0871 664 7983
Sunvil
Brochure: Specialist Greece 2008 The Mainland & Twenty Islands
What’s new? The island of Meganissi, the resort of Olymbiada on Halkidiki, walking holidays in Ithaca, an additional 30 new properties, and an expanded fly-drive programme to northern Greece.
They say: “We’re giving the mass-market hotspots a miss and focusing on areas that are still untouched and unknown.”
We say: Focuses on quieter, secluded locations with accommodation ranging from simple, seaside cottages to five-star luxury.
Sample package: £634 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Mandraki Village hotel in Koukounaries, Skiathos, based on two sharing in June, including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0208 758 4747
Planet Holidays
Brochure: Greece Summer 2008
What’s new? More luxury spas and 16 new properties including a couple of villas/apartments to cater for wedding parties. And island-hopping in style with the Sky Express.
They say: “We have a section dedicated to those looking for more than sun, sea and sand, with short breaks in Athens and island-hopping.”
We say: The emphasis is on luxury. This glossy high-end 148-page brochure with quality photography features only four and five-star properties in mainland Greece and the Greek Islands.
Sample package: £479 per person for seven nights’ half board accommodation at the four-star Caravel Hotel in Tsilivi, Zante, based on two sharing in June, including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0871 871 2234
Cosmos
Brochure: Summer Holidays
What’s new? Increased brochure size to include new hotels and apartments, particularly in Rhodes and Crete.
They say: “Our hotels and apartments for 2008 range from the family friendly small hotels to the large all inclusive resorts offering every kind of activity for the whole family.”
We say: A weighty 398-page colourful brochure focusing on the main islands and resorts with in depth descriptions of resorts and local highlights.
Sample package: £284 per person for seven nights’ self-catering accommodation at the three-star Adams Apartments in Hersonissos, Crete, based on two sharing in June including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0871 4238 422
Simpson Travel
Brochure: Greece The Road Less Travelled
What’s new? More spa and childcare facilities. Greater flexibility with accommodation only pricing and more bespoke services.
They say: “Spa facilities are hot at the moment. We have added spa facilities to existing properties.”
We say: An easily digestible 116-page high-end brochure with quality photography. Properties range from character cottages to beachside apartments, deluxe hotels and luxury spa retreats.
Sample package: £475 per person for seven nights’ self-catering accommodation at the Beachfront Studio Apartments of Galazio Kimi, near Kalyves in Crete, based on two sharing in June, including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0289 2675 315
Libra Holidays
Brochure: Summer – Winter 2008 Cyprus, Greece, Egypt.
What’s new? The introduction of weekly departures from Leeds Bradford Airport to Crete beginning in July. There’s also new accommodation in Crete, Rhodes and Zante.
They say: “The new accommodation for 2008 mainly consists of mid-range to luxury hotels.”
We say: A meaty 387-page brochure with a wide choice of accommodation concentrating on the main islands.
Sample package: £344 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Pegasus Hotel in Roda, in Corfu, based on two sharing in June, including flights and transfers.
Contact: 0871 226 0446
