Why Greece is an all-year-round destination

Greece and the UAE enjoy strong bilateral relations. Several Greeks have made the UAE their second home, working and doing business in the country. Tourism connects people of both countries, and the number of visitors to Greece has increased by 20 per cent, says Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism of Greece, in an interview with Khaleej Times in Dubai.
Adds the minister: "Greece has a 15-member team at this year's Arabian Travel Market with exhibitors who are mainly travel agents and tour operators. Greece is very close to the UAE, just four hours away by flight. Emirates and Etihad have direct flights to Greece. Greece, as a country, has a lot to offer. We have beautiful weather throughout the year. Visitors from the UAE appreciate Greek history and culture."
The government promotes thematic tourism like gastronomy for good food, conventions, sea, cruise tourism, yachting, diving, medical tourism, wellness, spa and quick city breaks in Athens, the capital, and Thessaloniki, which is the other big city.
"Visitors can explore the museums, indulge in shopping or be entertained by cultural shows and events. Athens never sleeps. We have day cruises to small islands as well. Greece is a 365-day travel destination," notes Kountoura.
Athens is a city known for its ancient Acropolis and Parthenon. Destinations like Santorini attract honeymooners and is known for its beaches and volcanic features. Mykonos is known for beaches and nightlife; Corfu islands for shopping, museums, churches, palaces and monasteries; and Crete, Greece's largest island, is known for its varied terrain. At the same time, there are places like Zia Kos, Skiathos, Paros, Syros, Naxos and so on. "We can spoil you as we have a number of options. We have more than 100 different islands. We organise FAM trips for tour operators and travel agents, and promote new destinations so that visitors can enjoy the secret 'Greek Paradise on Earth'," reveals Kountoura.
She affirms that Greece is unique. "Greece is the only country in the European family that has so many options for visitors. We are the vacation destination for Europe. We have a number of islands which other countries in Europe don't have. At the same time, we have history, great culture and a very ancient civilisation. We are proud that Greece has given so much to the rest of the world. We are blessed as we have all that a traveller desires - sun and sea, yachting, extreme sports, great food, shopping, museums, and beaches - public or private."
"We work very hard to promote our country. We are very happy that the last two years have seen historical records of arrivals to Greece. In 2015, we had 26 million tourists. In 2016, we had 28 million tourists. For 2017, we have double digit pre-bookings, and it looks like a great year," the minister notes.
Connectivity
Etihad and Emirates fly daily directly from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively to Greece. Emirates has two flights, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Recently, the airline started a daily flight from Dubai to Newark via Athens and back. The afternoon flight is convenient for people who finish their work during the day and travel by night.
March to November is the best time to visit Greece. "More and more Indians are choosing Greece for weddings and receptions. Every weekend, we have an Indian marriage. I invite everyone to come to Greece to have a wonderful holiday. Welcome to Greece," Kountoura concludes.
- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

Monastiraki Square, Athens