Cultural Tourism on the Rise; New Hotel in Santorini; New Bike Scheme Plus More

According to June data from the Greek Ministry of Culture archaeological sites in Greece are attracting more visitors year on year.

In particular, the National Archaeological Museum attracted 27,510 visitors in June this year compared to 22,991 in the same month last year; the Acropolis Museum - being among the most attended museums in the world - saw a total of 156,722 visitors in June 2015 against 137,411 last year; while the archaeological site of Akrotiri in Santorini drew in 40,213 visitors in June this year, compared to 35,600 in the same month in 2014.

New hotel addition in Santorini

The Metaxas Group is set to open The Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa in Santorini in April 2016. This complex will join the group's hotel portfolio alongside The Creta Maris Beach Resort and Candia Maris Resort & Spa, which all offer luxury accommodation and stunning wellness facilities.

Situated in the picturesque village of Oia, The Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa has 44 suites and four villas, has been designed in the traditional Cycladic style and offers guests a view to one of the world's most spectacular sunsets across the Aegean Sea. For more information: http://www.santomaris.gr/

New bike sharing system in Crete

After a successful start in Rhodes in December 2014, Cyclopolis, in collaboration with the Municipality of Chania, introduced their brand new bike sharing system in the town of Chania in Crete this September. With five bike stations spread out across the town and more than 50 bikes to use, visitors can now explore the beautiful town of Chania on a bike. The first three hours are free of charge and cyclists are charged one Euro for every hour thereafter. For more information: http://chania.cyclopolis.gr/index.php/en/

New marina in Rhodes aims to boost marine tourism

Rhodes Marinas have announced the trial operation of a new marina in the island of Rhodes.

Located near the medieval town of Rhodes - one of the most stunning locations on the island - the new Rhodes marina aims to provide high quality services to yachts and visitors and contribute to the development of marine tourism.

The marina, which will be accessible all year round, is located only 30 minutes away from the island's airport and is right next to the main commercial port with regular and frequent ferry itineraries.

It has an operating depth of 5 to 6.50 meters and is the only marina in Greece that can accommodate yachts of up to 120 meters.

The new marina on Rhodes currently features 382 boat berths, with a view to be increased to 563. For more information:http://news.gtp.gr/2015/08/25/new-marina-on-rhodes-starts-trial-operation/

New initiative to promote all year round tourism

The Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) has announced the launch of "Dodeka" (meaning twelve in Greek), which is a new initiative aiming at all year round tourism.

The action plan includes itineraries for every month of the year and invites holidaymakers to participate in various events and activities, including Olympic sports, street festivals, sailing and exploring various walking trails.

An online platform will offer information and details about the monuments and sites included on the selected itineraries which will focus on religious, urban and gastronomic tourism. For more information: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/08/24/dodeka-action-plan-to-establish-greece-as-all-year-tourism-choice/

Greece keeps picking up awards

Greece has had another outstanding award winning month with the following wins:

• Alex Beach Hotel & Bungalows in Rhodes has received the prestigious TUI Environmental Champion award "TUI Umwelt Champion" for the year 2015. The award is given annually to the most eco-friendly hotels worldwide co-operating with TUI, based on assessments checking environmental aspects within the hotels and their customer satisfaction worldwide.
• For the second consecutive year, the Greek Islands were announced as this year's best island destination in the world at the annual Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards held in London.
• The Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso was crowned "Greece's Best Wellness Spa" at the first World Spa Awards held in Vietnam.
• Astir Palace's units "The Westin Athens" and "Arion Resort & Spa" came out winners at the prestigious 2015 World Travel Awards (WTA) held recently in Sardinia, Italy. Hilton Athens also won the title of Greece's Leading Business Hotel at the European final of the same awards.

For more information: http://news.gtp.gr/2015/09/24/tui-alex-beach-hotel-2015-environment-champion/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/09/21/astir-palace-counts-honors-at-2015-world-travel-awards/; http://news.gtp.gr/2015/09/07/greek-islands-voted-worlds-best-cnt-awards/; http://news.gtp.gr/2015/09/15/divani-apollon-wins-1st-world-spa-awards/;http://news.gtp.gr/2015/09/10/hilton-athens-triumphs-at-world-travel-awards-2015/

Greek Wine Festival in London

This coming weekend 3 - 4 October 2015 the London based restaurant The Greek Larder is celebrating Greek viticulture with their inaugural London Greek Wine Festival. The restaurant will introduce a London audience to more than one hundred distinctive and diverse Greek wines exclusively brought together for the first time at such a London event. For more information on the venues and schedule of the events please follow the link: http://londongreekwinefestival.co.uk/

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For further press information, please contact: Frances Tuke, Lotus UK, T: 020 7953 7470 E: frances@lotus-uk.co.uk or Panos Papadopoulos, Greek National Tourism Organisation, GNTO UK & Ireland Office, T: 020 74959311, E: pr@gnto.co.uk