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Food For Thought

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Stuart & Hilary:
Extracts from Yesterday's Daily Telegraph. By Oliver Smith

Are traditional Greek holidays under threat?
Greece plans to attract an additional 9 million tourists annually by 2021 - but what does that mean for the unspoiled island life that lures so many Britons?

The tourist board claimed too that early signs indicate 2015 could be another record year

A record 15.3 million holidaymakers visited Greece in the first eight months of the year, with arrivals from Britain rising 16 per cent, according to the country’s tourist board.
This was a 22 per cent increase on 2013, a year in which Greece had already improved significantly on the losses felt in 2012 following the Arab Spring, receiving a total of 17.9 million arrivals.
The tourist board claimed too that early signs indicate 2015 could be another record year.
And there’s no evidence that the country is resting on its laurels. The Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises recently said it expects at least 27 million to take a holiday in Greece each year by 2021, up from around 18 million in 2013.
Olga Kefalogianni, the Greek minister for tourism, suggested the country’s continuing popularity is down to the value for money it offers to both budget and high-end holidaymakers.

Licenses awarded for new accommodation have risen by up to 150 per cent, with an emphasis on luxury properties. There are also plans to increase the frequency of flights to smaller islands, and even - overambitious, perhaps - talk of a “gastro-taverna” culinary revolution.
Such plans are likely to raise fears that the unspoiled island life that attracts so many Britons to Greece is under threat. For many, it is rustic accommodation and simple cuisine that make the country so alluring.
These worries are unfounded, according to Ms Kefalogianni.
“This is a major consideration for us – our strategy is towards sustainability,” she said. “The natural environment and the culture should be maintained and preserved. This is what brings tourists to Greece.”
Instead, she wants to encourage holidaymakers to visit lesser-known parts of the country, and for Greece to be considered more of a year-round destination.
“We want to expand our offering to new parts of Greece, such as the mountainous area in the north – it’s not just about sea and sun,” she added. “There’s also the recent discovery of ancient artefacts at Amfipolis, which will attract new visitors to that region.”
Thessaloniki is being touted as an alternative city break destination (“a history spanning 2,300 years, a burgeoning food scene and a vibrant nightlife”), and base for exploring Amfipolis, the Halkidiki peninsula and Lake Kerkini, a haven for birdwatching and outdoor activities such as canoeing and riding.
The “beautiful, well preserved” region of Epirus, meanwhile, has also been earmarked. It is “one of the most exciting destinations for adventurous walkers and hikers,” says Ms Kefalogianni, and is bisected by the world’s deepest gorge.
And for those in search of a more recumbent holiday, the Pelion – between Athens and Thessaloniki; the Peloponnese – the southernmost part of mainland Greece; and the Small Cyclades – a sub-group of the Cyclades (which include Santorini and Mykonos), all of which are known for their beaches, are being targeted for growth.
Interest in Greece’s cultural attractions remains strong. Visits to museums leapt 20 per cent between January and June, compared with the same period last year, according to the tourist board. That included a 20 per cent rise in visits to the Acropolis Museum; 14 per cent to the National Archaeological Museum; and 95 per cent to Heraklion Archeological Museum. To further entice classical enthusiasts, there are plans to extend opening hours at dozens of museums and archaeological sites and develop smartphone apps to provide information to visitors.

Mike G:
It's difficult to see where all the people to bring about this expansion are going to come from. Eurozone growth is sluggish and will probably remain so for some time and the increased numbers from eastern Europe are already coming.

It has been said several times on this forum (and I agree) that the distance of Plakias from airports probably stops it becoming over commercialised.

Long may Plakias remain as it is!.

Mike

Bertie:
Hear! Hear!
I've always thought that it's the distance from the airports which means only dedicated Greco files can be bothered to travel to Plakias and other south coast towns. And, there's not enough potential on the south coast to warrant an airport (we hope).

Having said this I'm surprised just how many people do make the journey.

It's just as well tourists don't have to pass through Plakias to reach their accommodation on the north coast, like we travel along the north coast first. Just think of all those people thinking "Oh, I wish we were staying here" instead of "Thank God we're going on to Plakias and not staying here!!".

Richard:
Agree totally.

I think that there is an airfield on the south coast but it's military. The idea of a commercial equivalent doesn't bear thinking about.

Your point re 'passing through' is, I think, extremely well made.

My first holiday in Greece was on a small island south of Athens. The other two couples taken to the same place complained about the quiet, but I loved it. A few tavernas, small quiet beach, my first taste of Greece.

The following year, we were taken to Plakias in error, and then taken back to our booked accommodation in Amoudara, which is essentially a suburb of Heraklion with a beach. Tried to make the most of it but wasn't impressed at all. I probably wouldn't have returned to Greece if I had not been taken to Plakias - I liked it, and the south of the island, very much.

Richard

JackieatUrbanAgenda:
Hi.....there have been plans to develop the former US base at Tymbaki (near Mires) for some time because of its existing runways but, even after ten years or more, I cant see it happening. Even if it did, the route up to Heraklion and Ag Nik/Malia etc would probably go through the valleys to the west...so there would be limited impact on the route through Spili and the areas around Finikas. have discussed this with Greek friends numerous times.

We've been visiting Plakias since 1987 and have introduced a few people to it and they've all fallen in love with its charm. OK there have been a few changes (I can remember when Hapimag opened) but it is the simplicity people like. Hopefully a huge upturn in tourism suggested by the reports wont have a major impact on Plakias.....can see it boosting the north coast's appeal though.

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