Special

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MONTHLY TOURISM & FINANCIAL NEWS PAPER • NOVEMBER 2009 • ISSUE NO. 154 • 12th YEAR

A selection of
The Best Hotels and
Tourism companies
in Greece

http://news.travelling.gr
 88 2
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For the past year, no mater where
you looked, heard or talked the is-
sue has been and still is the
worldwide economic crisis. On the
TV, the radio, Web, e-mails, blogs,
forums, round table discussions,
newspapers, magazines, public
speeches, private discussions,
our October general elections, etc.
One big miserable situation. You
don't see people smiling any mo-
re, they are gloomy and have no
tolerance. Wow!
"
E
NOUGH! No wonder the
economy has slowed down.
With all of this buzz it could
have been much worse.
What is even worse is that business
people/entrepreneurs of the travel
and tourism industry have fallen in-
to the same trap. The trap of just
mopping and not doing anything or
waiting from the government to
solve all the problems and when
things get real tough then roll up
our the sleeves, “Obama style” and
take action. I don't think that this is
how business is conducted.
I'll give you an international example
of what I am saying. A couple of
days ago Expedia pulled all Choice
Hotels' inventory off its Web sites,
because the negotiations that had
HATTA Celebrates World Tourism Day 2009
at the New Acropolis Museum
ΗΑΤΤΑs President Mrs Argiro Fili with ECTAAs Journalist Maya Tsokli accepts award from HATTA.
President Mr. Akis Kelepesis.
HATTA celebrated World Tourism
Day 2009 with a special tour of the
New Acropolis Museum and a re-
ception at the Ionian Centre.
The event played host to represen-
tatives of political leadership, poli-
tical parties, ambassadors, repre-
sentatives of stakeholders in air,
ferry and cruise companies, mem-
bers of HATTA, and journalists. The
event was also well attended by re-
presentatives of travel agency and
Expedia pulled all Choice Hotels International inventory off
its Web sites
Expedia has cut off negotiations
with Choice Hotels International
and has removed Choice's proper-
ties from its sites, which include Ex-
pedia.com and Hotels.com
Like many other major hotel
brands, Choice Hotels, have been
working to negotiate a renewal of
a brand-wide wholesale agreement
with Expedia.
Its a new ball game.
did not work out. Expedia on the
one hand has come up with a state-
ment for their action and on the
other hand Choice Hotels blames
Expedia for the result. This is silly
and it gets even better. Now, the
CEO of Choice Hotels says that they
have an action which will take them
tour operator associations from
many foreign markets, headed by
Mr Akis Kelepesi, President of EC-
TAA (European Travel Agents' and
Tour Operators' Association), from
Cyprus, which holds the presiden-
cy of ECTAA, as well as an IFTO (In-
ternational Federation of Tour
Operators) delegation, presently
being hosted by Greece, and hea-
ded by its President, Mr Martin
Brackenbury.
According to Choice Hotels, Expe-
dia wanted them to "give up con-
trol of their inventory and pricing reach an agreement on the terms
and wanted to penalize franchisees
who did not give Expedia 100%
access all the time".
Expedia on the other hand came since the original contract expired
up with the following announce- in May 2007.
ment: "At this time, Expedia Inc. is
no longer offering Choice Hotels In view of this development,
out of this situation, with a a multi-
pronged plan.
My question is: didn't they have
such a plan already! Were they run-
ning on automatic pilot! Expedia
woke them up!
We do not have anything against
Expedia or Choice Hotels but this is
The international guests respon-
ded to HATTA's invitation to cele-
brate World Tourism Day and to di-
scuss matters of common interest.
HATTA President, Mrs Argiro Fili,
noted in her welcome address,
"This year, HATTA felt obliged to
honor Greece's most important
cultural event of the year: the ope-
ning of the Acropolis Museum wh-
ich hosts exhibits of global con-
cern". Mrs Fili further told guests:
International properties on our
sites. This is due to an inability to
of a new contract with Choice, de-
spite numerous extensions granted
by Expedia in the hopes of secur-
ing a mutually acceptable deal
http://news.travelling.gr
reality, for the entire travel and
tourism industry worldwide. It has
been a carefree industry, which re-
quired less effort than other indus-
tries and the people involved
worked intensively during high sea-
sons and relaxed during the low.
Things have changed. The word re-
HATTAs Board of Directors together with ex NTOG
President John Kofinis.
"In parallel, we responded to the
need for a special event for those
involved in tourism at the Muse-
um: because tourism and culture
are two interrelated concepts, be-
cause all of us involved in tourism,
support and should support with
all our might the emergence of our
country's cultural wealth, because
HATTA members, the country's to-
urist offices, producers and distri-
butors of the tourism product, bo-
Choice Hotels International is re-
drawing its strategy and has a
multi-pronged plan consisting of
advertising, e-mail campaign to
reward members, an affiliate mar-
keting program, an advance-pur-
chase rate program, a paid search
optimization, mobile advertising,
strengthen best Internet rate guar-
antees, exposure on television, a
new interactive agency for hotels
Νοvember 2009
lax and low season should be abol-
ished from the travel and tourism
industry dictionary. Our efforts
should be equally distributed
throughout the year and they
should also employ modern meth-
ods, in all fields not just the Internet
and telecommunications. As the as-
sets of the hotel industry are refur-
bished every so often, the same
should apply in the methods and
techniques, in all fields. Operations,
marketing, finance, etc.
What is really extraordinary to hear
from the industry is: “I am listed on
the Internet – I don't need to do ad-
vertisements, or go to exhibitions,
or print a brochure, or send out a
mailing, etc. - theses methods are
old fashion and surpassed”. NO!
These are the tools available and we
have to make a fine combination to
have a positive result.
Tell me what do you tell the Choice
franchisee who said, “In this eco-
nomic disaster, these two giants are
behaving like adolescent boys. I own
several Choice brand hotels. I am an
independent business person who
will likely not survive this loss in sales
I will experience while the big boys
are having a pissing contest.”
Its a new ball game. We have to re-
evaluate the entire mix.
th in joy and out of obligation enri-
ch our tourism product by taking
visitors to places of cultural interest
and, of course, contribute with all
their forces so that the Acropolis
Museum will, over time, enjoy halls
filled with visitors".
The evening ended with an hono-
rable award presented to journalist
Maya Tsokli for her contribution to
tourism and travel journalism.
participating in the cooperative
program, create a joint venture
with another major group/meeting
sales force to sell Choice hotels.
While the corporate headquarters
are battling away, Choice fran-
chisee's feel that they will not be
able to cover the loss of sales.
Νοvember 2009 3 9 9
Good flights, Olympic Air!

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NEPTUNE HOTELS RESORT
CONVENTION CENTRE & SPA
853 02 Mastichari, Kos Island – Greece
Tel: +30 22420 41480
5
Fax: +30 22420 41574
E mail: neptunehotels@neptune.gr www.neptune.gr

Along one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the island, near
to the graphic village of Mastichari you will find “Neptune Hotels Re-
sort, Convention Centre & Spa”; a luxurious hotel complex that it is
built in the unique style of the traditional Greek Island architecture. It consists of 570
twin rooms, suites and apartments featuring deluxe facilities and equipped with all the modern comforts. In its elegant re-
ception areas, decorated with fine arts, you will find four restaurants; where you will enjoy exceptional creations from the international
and Greek cuisine, eight bars; for moments of sheer pleasure and perfection, leaving you with long lasting memories and wonderful
impressions.
There are four exterior swimming-pools, from which 1 is heated, 1 internal, 4 tennis courts, mini soccer field, basket ball court, beach
volley, squash, badminton, Chip & Putt golf, mountain bike centre, sailing & surfing station and varied other athletic activities are avai-
lable to give your holidays a more attractive dimension. At the hotel’s premises you will also find: a doctor’s office, mini market, hair-
dresser's saloon, jewellery shop, boutique and souvenirs shop.
Neptune Hotels makes up a very special conference destination in Greece. At the Neptune Convention Centre, with its 23 meeting rooms
and exhibition facilities for up to 1500 delegates, you will experience an environment fully designed for both business and pleasure that
effortlessly blends the two with close attention to the smallest detail. However, the highlight of Neptune Hotels is the Neptune Spa, an
opportunity to enjoy the lovely body treatments and facials that will surely rejuvenate your body and soul. Escape from the daily stress
into our relaxing world for soul and spirit, face and body.

S a l e
For
A group of residences is for sale at the
island of Ithaca in Greece in extent of 3.6 acres.
The estate consists of a maisonette of 164 s.m.,
two studios of 50 s.m. each, swimming pool and
After years of speculation, discussions, pass by their towns or cities, because surroundings with olive trees.
stagnation, search for investors, and a this made it possible for people to stop All three residences are amphitheatrically built, with sea
myriad of "things", the new by and leave money, do business with and mountain view, only 100 meters walking distance
"Olympic" is hear and its new name is the locals, or even come and live there. from the beach. The estate was built in 2006 and is
Olympic Air. Along with Olympic Air The exact same thing applies with air- one kilometer away from the capital of the island,
come Olympic Handling, the ground lines. They create new “roads” which Vathi.
handling and cargo service company translate to development, commerce, Contact details: Mrs. Paizi Diamanto
and Olympic Engineering, which is the tourism, promotion of Greece...you Tel 0030 6979772006, 0030 210 8055435,
maintenance, repair and overhaul name it. 0030 26740 33537.
company. The investment in aircraft e-mail: tinavrettou@yahoo.gr or
and spare parts reach the 1.1 billion One thing we have to have in mind is a.vrettou@alumni.alba.edu.gr
USD. Thirty two aircraft will carry the that the new Olympic is a private com-
Olympic Air logo and the Greek flag to pany with all that comes with all and
domestic and international destina- any private company. With this said,
tions and the new company has signed the thing that comes to my mind is
code share agreements with major in- what happened with the airlines in the
ternational airlines to cover its cus- US. I know, its not the same thing but
tomers' travel needs, with ultimate competition has lots of roads to de-
goal to join the SKYTEAM. struction and this is one thing we
would not like to see, because there
All of this in just 5 months of work...a are airlines already providing these 10,Korytsas , 17 455 Alimos, Athens ,Greece
new airline from scratch! When services that no one would like to see Tel.+(30) 210 9820680 Fax +(30) 210 9820861,
Greeks want to get things done, they them disappear. Mobile (+30) 6944514490
get it done in record time. Just to re- e-mail: xttravel@xttravelservices.gr
mind everyone, look at what hap- On the other hand competition is very www.globusyachting.com.
pened with the 2004 Athens good when kept within healthy e-mail:info@globusyachting.com
Olympics. grounds. It can bring quality, options, Allow us to introduce to you a more luxurious approach of vacations. Be sure that we will take you to
new services as well as better prices for the best beaches, islands but you will also find the scenery of the Greek islands magnificent even when
you are just enjoying your boat ride. The Greek island beaches are absolutely beautiful. Enjoy them
What does all this mean? For starters, the consumer. The later should not be with us!
the new Olympic provides jobs to a used as the battle ground, because the
large group of people, at these trying other benefits will follow with cata- Since the days of Udysseus the irresistible beauty of the Greek Islands has continued to intrigue the
days, but most important it opens strophic results. traveling yachtsman. Relax on the deck of our yacht as your experienced crew guides you through
doorways to Greece, either through its these bewitching islands. White chapels... Black and white sands... Cobalt Seas... Stunning!
own flights or through the code shar- So, we wish Olympic Air good luck and
ing agreements with other airlines. good flights for their clients, Greek The collection of yachts you'll find on Globus Yachting has been carefully hand-picked to represent the
best yachts and the best values that you'll find. All of our yachts offer comfortable accommodations
This is major!. The "very old timers" and international, the employees and consistent with their price range, excellent cuisine and a qualified crew.
use to beg authorities to have a road the investors.

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 10104 Νοvember 2009

8th Congress of SETE

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“Tourism & Growth”

The role of tourism in alternating phases of the economy:
Long Term Planning and operational. 85, Vouliagmenis Ave.Athens 16674 Greece
Tel: +30 210 9604250, Fax: +30 210 9644943

USA OPERATION CENTER: 1-800-507-7095

E-mail: info@stepsofpaul.gr
www.stepsofpaul.gr

Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises in cooperation with our parent company CruiseClub Holidays, Tour Opera-
tor Athens, Greece has the pleasure of offering you our package of LANDCruises, which on one hand in-
corporates the philisophy of our cruises, while on the other, our assurance of high quality, personal
attention and fellowship found aboard our ships.
So, either for a group of any size or being part of our set departures, we can always add services and
overnights, in order to offer the complete experience for your customers.
Welcome to the Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises LANDCruises!

Yachting greece

Greece Tel: +30 210 983 63 12 Fax:+30 210 982 79 19

Tel (24 hours service): GSM +30 6944 310 140
Skype id:yachtsgreece
www.yachtsgreece.com
e-mail: info@yachtsgreece.com.

Charter
Each yacht you will find from us meets our high standards in respect to quality construction, reliability,
meticulous maintenance and professional crewing.
They compose a selection of the best Crewed and Bareboat Yachts available in the East Mediterranean
and include motor yachts, motor sailers and sailing yachts. Most of our prices are available online.
If you are enquiring about bareboat prices, please send us an email at: info@yachtsgreece.com and we
will send you the bareboat prices.
Add the excellent personalized service of Nikos Odysseas Papadakis Yachts, and you have the perfect
potential for an unforgettable yachting experience.

Yria Resort – Cycladiki S.A.,Parasporos Bay, Paros

The international financial crisis, apart
from any negative growth impacts, re-
stored to the fore the debate sur-
rounding the effectiveness of
economic development models. Seen
in this light, it is imperative as well as
useful to review the roles of various
economic activities industry-wide.
Especially for the economy of Greece,
whose structural problems have for
many years enabled the country to de-
velop to the desired extent, it is nec-
essary to rethink the role of tourism in
general economic policy.
Tourism has shown over time that its
place in the economy is more resistant
to shocks from other sectors and can
also recover much faster. As a result,
the review of our country's develop-
ment model should definitely consider
a new role for tourism. It was in this
very light that SETE (Association of
Greek Tourism Enterprises) was chosen
for the 8th Congress on "Tourism &
Growth".
84400 Greece. tel. ++302284024154 fax
++302284021167
Website : www.yriahotel.gr Email : info@yriahotel.gr
Yria hotel, member of “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”
Located at Parasporos bay at the west side of Paros island, on a property of 22000 sq. m. All types of accommodation
feature climatization, direct dial telephone, Internet access, satellite TV, DVD-cd player, music channels, mini bar, safe
deposit box, hair dryer in bathroom, high quality amenities, terrace/balcony. The lounge provide Reader’s corner, In-
ternet facilities / wireless access connection and boutique. Covered terrace by the pool and children pool. Light meals
and drinks offered by the pool. Gourmet dining by Chef Achilleus and his team create Mediterranean specialties. Free
use of the gym room, the tennis court, sunbeds and pool towels encourage enjoyment and exercise. Hotel chapel is
available for private ceremonies and a meeting room (capacity 120 pax with technical equipment and secretarial ser-
vice).
Efficient and compromising personal service is a promiss

Argentikon Luxury Suites

2005 - 2009 ... 5 Years Of Excellence
Facilities and Guest Services
Restaurant, Bar, Pool Bar, Residents’ Reading-Sitting Room, Room Service (breakfast)
Central Air Conditioning and Heat, Direct-dial telephone, LCD satellite TV, Extensive gardens with walking
paths
ADSL wireless Internet access, Safe, Business Center, Fireplace, Exercise room, Sauna,
Massage Room
In-room massage/beauty treatments, Jacuzzi & Power massage Shower
Transportation to and from Airport or Port
Outdoor swimming pool
Argentikon Luxury Suites consists of Suites only, all with an exquisite view of the gar-
dens.
All rates include American breakfast served to your suite or at the outdoor dining area.
All accommodations feature a living room, veranda, central air conditioning, LCD satellite
TV, radio & DVD players, wireless ADSL internet access, direct-dial telephone, mini-bar,
marble-lined bathroom, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, luxury Hermes bathroom amenities
and laundry - dry cleaning services. Housekeeping attention is provided twice daily.
Distances
Four km from Chios International Airport, Six km from Chios center
Recommended by CondeNast Johansens, Member of Great Small Hotels, Member of Exclusive Island Hotels & Resorts

Contact details: Argentikon Luxury Suites - Kambos, 821 00 Chios – Greece, Tel. (+30).22710.33111, Fax (+30).22710.31465, Email: info@argentikon.gr, Web: www.argentikon.gr

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