Where will the Greeks go for Easter?
In particular, Fedhatta publishes the destinations that have won over the Greeks according to the tourist offices. The islands of the North Aegean, with Chios, Leros and Mytilini in first place, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, with Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, Patmos, Kos and Leros, to take the lead. The Ionian Sea is once again the star in the preferences of Greek travelers with the great demand for Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkada, Paxos and Ithaca due to the traditional customs of Easter. Pelion, Zagorochoria and Ioannina attract travelers who prefer the inland, while Halkidiki those looking for a combination with the sea. The Peloponnese has a lot of visitors, especially Monemvasia, Stoupa, Kardamyli, and Kalamata, as well as Xylokastro and Nafplio. In addition, Greek travelers will head to all the seaside areas with hotels that opened after the Catholic Easter.
The islands beat the mountainous destinations this year at Easter
At this point, the vice-president of XEE, Christina Tetradis, underlines to APE-MPE that the fact that this year’s Easter is in the month of May, this timing shifted the demand of Greek consumers from mountain destinations to island destinations. Given that most hotel units are starting the season at this time, Greeks will be the majority of customers in them, since significant tourist flows of foreign visitors to Greece are expected from the end of May.
From 50 euros per person for accommodation in a 4 or 5 star hotel
In fact, Mrs. Tetradis explains that hoteliers during this period offered very competitive tourist packages to their Greek customers and the response was significant. It is typical that in the Ionian Islands and in Zakynthos in particular, staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel on Easter days ranges from 50 to 70 euros per person. Prices much lower than those achieved by foreign visitors who book their vacations through Tour Operators abroad, Mrs. Tetradis reports. In fact, Mrs. Tetradis underlines that this year’s Easter period gives the Greeks the opportunity to visit destinations that are financially unreachable for Greek households in the summer.
Happy those with more than 50% occupancy
Regarding the occupancy rate in the country’s hotel accommodations during the Easter period, the president of the Hoteliers’ Association of Crete and member of the Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Manolis Tsakalakis, notes to APE-MPE that hotels that have an occupancy rate of over 50% should be happy with given time. Of course, he observes that there are units, for example in Crete, that do not drop a pin during the Easter period, although Crete is not a traditional Easter destination for the Greeks, as he says. In any case, the flagship of Greek tourism, Crete, will once again star in tourist arrivals this year, with Mr. Tsakalakis stressing that the messages are positive and this stems from the fact that the scheduled air seats for N. Kazantzakis airport are increased by 7% this year compared to last year. However, speaking to APE-MPE, those involved in the country’s tourism matters give an indication of the areas that are expected to attract Greek visitors during the Easter holidays.
Popular destinations for Easter
Mykonos: The majority of Greek visitors at Easter
In Mykonos, Georgia Kontiza, Managing Director of Koukoumi Hotel, the first Vegan Hotel in Greece, notes to APE-MPE, preparations are feverish for the new season and of course Greeks will be the majority of visitors at Easter. However, conveying the “pulse” of the island, he estimates that this year will be better than last year, although the messages from local businessmen are contradictory. Some are talking about a slow start to May and some others note that it will go better than last year. In any case, in the country of Mykonos, most accommodations have already opened, while some units that traditionally opened in mid-April have planned their opening in mid-May. In the meantime, the checks by special echelons are also intensive, combing Mykonos for all kinds of violations, as emphasized.
Tinos: Hotels will be very well occupied for Easter
In Tinos, as Stelios Malliaris, president of the hoteliers on the island of “Panagia”, points out to APE-MBE, the hotels will be very well occupied for Easter by Greek customers exclusively, as the arrival of foreign visitors is expected from the end of May. In fact, he estimates that this year will be a year comparable to last year’s very good one. However, Mr. Malliaris talks about the last good year of the Cyclades, due to the economic crisis in Europe, but also the fact that the Cyclades have become too expensive as a destination, as a result of the greed of many professionals, as he explains.
Sifnos: Increased tourist traffic again this year
A pole of attraction for Greek travelers and Sifnos during the Easter season, with hotelier and engineer Grigoris Skalistiras underlining to APE-MPE that his new unit on the Cyclades island Sigma Residences is full, while the same is the case for the island’s businessmen that have their accommodations open. At the same time, the Deputy Mayor of Tourism of the Municipality of Sifnos, Yiannis Rafeletos, states that the tourist movement will be strengthened. In fact, there are many professionals who finally decided to open their accommodations in the run-up to Easter, due to the intense interest that was expressed. Sifnos highlights offers a unique Easter experience. During the service of the Great Hours on M Thursday, groups of believers receive the Holy Light and visit remote chapels and monasteries to light the candle of the respective Saint. Also stand out is the Epitaph in Kamares which is often transported by boat and enters the sea, the Vesper of Love on Easter Sunday in I.M. Vrysis as well as the religious events in the Castle.
Andros: Accommodation occupancy will reach 100%
In Andros, the accommodation capacity will reach 100% and for this reason, additional itineraries have been planned by the line’s state-of-the-art ships in order to meet the demand, emphasizes the Mayor of Andros, Theodosis Sousoudis, who says: “This Easter we expect thousands of visitors to Andros, mainly Greeks but also foreigners. Easter in Andros is an experience with the procession of the epitaphs and the celebration of Holy Week in the churches in all the villages, but also in the amazing monasteries of the island. The traditional masks and fireworks in the village of Stenies are impressive, which is a custom of many decades on Easter Sunday !”
Patmos: bookings are moving at high levels
The Mayor of Patmos, Nikita Tsampalakis, also conveys a climate of optimism, noting that “the island of the Apocalypse is one of the most popular religious destinations, offering its visitors the opportunity to celebrate Easter with particular enthusiasm. Interest is very high and bookings are moving at high levels. As a new municipal authority, together with businesses and residents we are preparing so that everything is ready to welcome visitors and the faithful.”
Karpathos: attracting visitors from various regions of Greece and Europe
“The natural beauties combined with the centuries-old traditions make Karpathos a pole of attraction for visitors from various regions of Greece and Europe during the Easter days when the number of visits is expected to be increased. Unique Easter moments will be given by the carols of Lazarus on the Saturday of Lazarus, the timeless “wires” in Spoa on Easter Monday, but also the procession of the icons to the homes of the residents throughout the island on the morning of Bright Tuesday. In the evening of the same day, the rhythm will be set by the traditional dances and songs in Olympos with the participation of all the women wearing the local traditional costume of the village”, said the Deputy Mayor of Tourism of the Municipality of Karpathos Tasos Milios.
Naxos: Occupancy is estimated to exceed 90%”
“Naxos moves to Easter rhythms with professionals and residents organizing themselves to offer visitors the opportunity to experience unique traditions, distinct customs and traditions and delicious local dishes. The island already receives a large number of foreign travelers, while for the festive days the visitation will be strengthened by domestic tourism and occupancy is estimated to exceed 90%”, said the Deputy Mayor for Tourism of the Municipality of Naxos & Small Cyclades, Vangelis Katsaras.
Astypalaia: Ferry and plane tickets to Astypalaia during Holy Week are sold out
“Both ferry and plane tickets to Astypalaia during Holy Week are sold out. Easter in the “Butterfly of the Aegean” is predicted to be unique with the meeting of the Epitaphs in the central square and the custom of the flares between the two churches to create indelible memories. On Easter Sunday, roasting Lambrianos is our traditional dish that satisfies every taste buds”, explains the Deputy Mayor of Tourism of the Municipality of Astypalaia, Kostas Kambylis.
Ios: The arrival of tourists to Ios from abroad has already started
The President of the Tourism Committee of the Municipality of Ieton, Antonis Mettos, added: “The arrival of tourists to Ios from abroad has already started, while the flow is progressively increasing day by day. As far as domestic tourism is concerned, in the next period visitors are expected from the urban centers who will experience an authentic Easter on the Cycladic island of Homer. Traditions will be part of everyday life for locals and travelers during M. Week, with the timeless customs of swinging, playing with balls, as well as traditional dances with local traditional sweets “stealing” the show!”
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