Greece not a country to be visited just once

Greece not a country to be visited just once

Nov 12, 2020

Search through the luggage of anyone leaving Athens International Airport and you will undoubtedly find a stone, a tiny jar with sand, something to remind them of their visit to the land of the gods. Most importantly though, you will find the Grecian sun in their hearts. That is the impact Greece has on its visitors!

From a very young age at school, children are taught history and it is the Greek history that really stays with them; mythology, the majestic Olympus where the gods reside, the sun – burning for ever – warming the hearts of a most hospitable nation, the sapphire-blue sea and its endless beaches – pebbled, rocky, sandy, crowded, secluded – something to cater to all tastes.

The islands of Greece – rocks randomly thrown into the Mediterranean Sea by Poseidon himself – adorn the country, luring its many visitors to come and get a taste of something unique, an experience not encountered anywhere else on the planet

The temples and monuments – built thousands of years ago in honor of some god or another still stand proud and never cease to be the subject of admiration of all that visit them. Their dominance is symbolic too of the strength and the unity of the Greek people themselves.

Greece is the country where the sun shines three-hundred and sixty days in a year. How then could its people not be blessed with warmth and a friendly, outgoing character? Visitors to Athens are fascinated by the ongoing nightlife and entertainment in general.

Whether it is the traditional bouzoukia or the countless clubs and cafeterias one visits, one thing is certain – they know how to have fun and put all troubles behind them.

They will deal with their issues when the sun comes up again, marking a hopeful future, an optimistic outlook and they know that one thing nobody can take away from them is their charisma – their love of life and living it to the fullest.

By taking along some sand or a stone or anything which ultimately reminds them of their visit to Greece, is like a pact, a promise to come back again. Greece is definitely not a country to visit just once in a lifetime – it draws you back again and again.

The magic is there and in abundance and is ready to embrace everyone wishing to visit it, to explore it and to thoroughly enjoy it.

international Tourism Down 70% as Travel Restrictions Impact All Regions

international Tourism Down 70% as Travel Restrictions Impact All Regions

Nov 11, 2020

Restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hit global tourism hard, with the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showing a 70% fall in international arrivals for the first eight months of 2020.

According to the newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% in July and 79% in August, traditionally the two busiest months of the year and the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop until August represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2019 and translates into a loss of US$ 730 billion in export revenues from international tourism. This is more than eight times the loss experienced on the back of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis.

“This unprecedented decline is having dramatic social and economic consequences, and puts millions of jobs and businesses at risk,” warned UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This underlines the urgent need to safely restart tourism, in a timely and coordinated manner”.

Recovery short-lived

All world regions recorded large declines in arrivals in the first eight months of the year. Asia and the Pacific, the first region to suffer from the impact of COVID-19, saw a 79% decrease in arrivals, followed by Africa and the Middle East (both – 69%), Europe (-68%) and the Americas (-65%). Following its gradual reopening of international borders, Europe recorded comparatively smaller declines in July and August (-72% and -69%, respectively). The recovery was short-lived however, as travel restrictions and advisories were reintroduced amid an increase in contagions. On the other side of the spectrum, Asia and the Pacific recorded the largest declines with -96% in both months, reflecting the closure of borders in China and other major destinations in the region. Demand for travel remains largely subdued due to the ongoing uncertainty about the pandemic and low confidence. Based on the latest trends, UNWTO expects an overall drop close to 70% for the whole of 2020. Rebound in international demand expected by Q3 2021 UNWTO’s Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in 2021, mostly in the third quarter of 2021. However, around 20% of experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022. Travel restrictions are seen as the main barrier standing in the way of the recovery of international tourism, along with slow virus containment and low consumer confidence. The lack of coordinated response among countries to ensure harmonized protocols and coordinated restrictions, as well as the deteriorating economic environment were also identified by experts as important obstacles for recovery.