Kos is the birthplace of the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, and it’s just what the doctor ordered if you’re looking for a holiday destination with stunning, golden sandy beaches.
The likes of Paradise Beach and Blue Lagoon are the key names to reel off to your clients as they describe exactly what they’ll get here.
A firm favourite with Brits, Kos is performing strongly for tour operators this year. “This is why we have some new and different products, including some exclusive properties for Thomson UK,” says Carl Hunter, product assistant at Thomson and First Choice.
The all-inclusive market remains robust, and this year, self-catering is proving popular in the main centre, Kos Town, with its newly built marina, and at Tingaki.
Gemma Carroll, product manager at Cosmos says: “Kardamena is also proving to be a popular choice – mainly attracting those looking for a young and lively resort, but also couples and families.”
Cost is a key factor in selling Kos. Even though it’s one of the Greek islands further from the British Isles, package prices are pretty keen. Photis Lambrianides, commercial director of Olympic Holidays, says: “My daughter went here in August with eight friends and was impressed by how inexpensive eating out was – even on their shoestring budget – as well as the variety of the cuisine available in the tavernas.”
Cyplon Holidays has a week at the five-star Michelangelo Hotel in the town of Agios Fokas from £536, while its current top-selling Kos hotel is the new five-star Diamond Deluxe, which is offering an 11% reduction for all bookings made before April 30. A seven-night stay at the property leads in at £611.
Tass Anastasi, sales and marketing director at Cyplon, says: “The fact that the climate is mild most of the year, together with the long hours of sunshine, the excellent beaches, the historical interest and the attractiveness of the city of Kos have gradually raised the island to the level of an international tourist centre.
“In spite of the development of Kos, you can also discover friendly sleepy villages around the island and a more traditional way of life.”
Size matters
The third largest of the Dodecanese islands, it is the size of Kos that makes it unique among Greek islands, according to operators that sell the country on a regular basis. It is only 26 miles long and takes 50 minutes to drive from east to west and 20 minutes to travel north to south.
Despite its diminutive nature, it packs a lot into its landmass, including some of the best archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. And the lack of hills has helped make cycling a popular holiday activity, supported by numerous bike rental outlets and cycle lanes in many areas.
Due to its location near Turkey, visitors can stay in Kos and take a day trip to the buzzing resort of Bodrum – perfect for shopping and for that massage, sauna and Hamam experience.
Twin-centre packages are a real option, as Keri Doble, promotions manager at Mark Warner explains. “The island can be sold as a twin-centre package with Bodrum, as it can be reached by hydrofoil from Kos Town in 25 minutes.”
Ask an expert
Carl Hunter, product assistant at Thomson and First Choice, offers his inside tips on where best to visit in Kos:
- Kos Town: With its narrow cobbled winding streets, incredibly picturesque harbour and a 14th-century castle nestling on the edge of the port, it’s a must see.
- Zia: A pretty mountain village 964 metres above sea level.
- Kardamena: On the south coast, this is the party resort of Kos and very much the British resort too. Its volcano is still active.
- Nisyros: A neighbouring volcanic island that can be reached by boat from Kos Town.
Spice seller in Kia, Kos
Inside track
- Take a trip into the hills to enjoy a superb traditional Greek dinner and watch the sunset from the Dikaion Mountain – it is a good spot for day trippers.
- Embros Thermes Beach south of Kos Town also has a sea pool with natural hot springs that reach 47C, which creates a Jacuzzi effect.
- Paradise Beach is also known as Bubble Beach, due to volcanic gases that rise from the seabed.
- The most popular beaches are the most commercialised on the east coast, and the sandiest are in the south.
- June and September out of high season are worthy times to promote. There are no soaring temperatures above 40C, but the weather is still great, everything is open, and there are enough people around to ensure the island has atmosphere.
- The unspoilt rural village of Zia is renowned for its romantic sunsets, locally-produced honey, olive oil and dried herbs. Reserve a table at Oromedon restaurant in advance to ensure you get the best view.
- Halfway between Rhodes in the south and Samos in the north, Kos is unlike many other Greek islands due to the fact that it is flat and low-lying, especially in the north and west.
- August 15 is the busiest time of the year as it’s the biggest festival of the Greek Orthodox calendar, the name day of Saint Maria.
Sample product
Cosmos is offering seven nights’ B&B at the Hotel Agrellis in Kardamena for £299, based on two sharing from June 1, flying from Gatwick. Transfers cost an extra £20.
Book it: 0871 423 8401, cosmos-holidays.co.uk
New for Mark Warner is the boutique style five-star Helona Hotel where a seven-night, half-board stay costs from £1,120 departing on May 21, including flights, transfers, water sports tuition and childcare.
Book it: 0871 703 3893, agencysales@markwarner.co.uk, markwarner.co.uk
Olympic Holidays has seven nights’ all-inclusive at the four-star Sol Kipriotis Village Hotel in Kos Town from £594, based on two sharing a twin room. The price is for departures in June and includes flights from Manchester and transfers.
Book it: 0844 499 4449, Olympic Holidays agent site
Dream Holidays offers seven nights’ self-catering at the Manolis Studios with two sharing a twin studio from £455 departing on August 20. Includes flights from Gatwick and transfers.
Book it: 0845 676 7877, Dream Holidays agent site
