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Greek Holidays | news and views on Greek island holidays
Greek island holidays conjure up idyllic images of blue domed churches set against a backdrop of pine coated hills, sunny skies and golden beaches. For many thousands, the Greek Islands conjure up images of quaint fishing ports, bustling street markets, fabulous beaches and crystal clear seas. Variety is the key to a Greek island holiday and you can take your pick of barely inhabited peaceful retreats to 24-hour beach parties. The Greek Islands are scattered across the Aegean, each with its unique attractions. For more see the Greek Holiday Guide
People who have booked a Greek Island holiday this year or are considering a holiday break in Greece are understandably worried about Greece's political and economic situation. The Greek Islands is one of the UK's favourite holiday destinations with more than 1.5 million visiting Greece and the Greek Islands every summer. . .
Those taking a holiday in Greece this year should take extra care to spray with insect repellent following warnings about the dangers of the West Nile virus. Researchers at the UK's Liverpool University say warmer summers and milder winters in north-west Europe has seen Asian tiger mosquito populations swell and the disease has spread in several regions of Greece . . .
Prices look set to drop for Greek Island holidays following a fall in visitor numbers tumble as the 2012 Greek holiday season gets under way. Bookings for Greek island holidays soared by nearly 10% in 2011, but tourism watchers say early booking are down in the Greek islands in 2012. Tourist arrivals in the Greek islands fell nearly 9% in the first quarter according to figures. . .
The torching of Athens city centre and TV images of rioters clashing with police could have had a negative impact on those think of taking a holiday in the Greek islands this year. But latest reports suggest that for those tourists not put off by the street turmoil on the mainland, 2012 may be the time to book a Greek Island holiday. Flights to Greece are currently less than half of the prices being charged last summer and low fares look likely to continue.
Tourists are looking for cheaper Greek island holiday deals as hotel prices fall across Greece. Latest reports show the cost of holiday hotel room in many of the popular Greek islands have dropped by as much as 20%. The only Greek islands to have seen hotel room rates go up this year are the up-market Greek holiday islands of Mykonos and Santorini which have seen prices stable or slightly higher.
Greek island tourism leaders have launched a campaign to attract more on Greek island scuba diving holidays divers in 2012. A recent survey revealed around 250,000 divers chose Greek island waters for scuba diving holidays up to the end of October last year. Almost 95% of 7,500 visiting divers who responded to a questionnaire ranked the Greek Islands among their favourite scuba diving destinations in the world.
International cruise firms could pump cash into major upgrades for Greek island ports in a bid to boost Greek island holidays. Cruise liner giants Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Costa, MSC and Celebrity say they are interested in funding port improvements, but only if the Greek cruise market is liberalised. It could mean major upgrades for Greek mainland ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki as well as for popular Greek holiday islands such as Rhodes and Crete.
More and more young couples who take a Greek Island holidays decide that this is the place where they would like to get married. And as travel trends forecast a rise in weddings abroad in 2012 one specialist wedding firm has announced it have become the first ever wedding company to join the ABTA travel association. Ionian Weddings, who specialise in weddings in unique locations across the Greek Islands and Cyprus has seen a 25% rise in bookings for 2012.
Greek tourism leaders are hoping that Greek island holidays continue to buck the trend in the coming year. Improved figures for Greek holiday tourism were the only bright spot in the gloomy landscape of the Greek economy in 2011. According to holiday surveys, 2011 was a year of recovery for the tourism market in Greece with the year notching up an overall increase in holiday visitors nearly 10%.
Companies promoting holidays in the Greek Islands hope to cash in on plans by British holidaymakers to opt for short-haul European holidays in 2012. Latest surveys suggest Brits will look to take advantage of hard-hit Eurozone countries to make the most of their holiday spending cash next year. Despite money problems at home, survey show at least 88% of UK holidaymakers plan at least one short-haul trip abroad next year with most opting for the Greek Islands and Spain.
