RHODES – This southern Greek island`s tourism industry is not expecting an easy time this winter in light of predictions by local businessmen…
RHODES – This southern Greek island`s tourism industry is not expecting an easy time this winter in light of predictions by local businessmen.
The Netherlands` Transavia is the only carrier which will maintain its twoweekly chartered flights to the popular resort, though their passengers are not likely to fill some 40 hotels that are to remain open in the cooler months.
This year Belgian tour operators stopped sending clients to
Hoteliers in Rhodes` capital are attempting to promote winter tourism by staying open beyond October. Of the 5,000 beds available during this period, 3,000 are in luxury or five-star establishments.
The island`s hoteliers union has initiated a campaign to inform tour operators and travel agencies of what Rhodes offers in wintertime. An 82-page brochure is
being distributed directly and through travel fairs.
According to the union`s chairman, Mr Minaidis, a clearer picture of how Rhodes will fare this winter should become apparent by the end of November.
Nevertheless, up until today, the union`s figures show that winter tourism -in terms of arrivals from abroad at least- is on the rise. More specifically, 1997-98 saw 9,480 arrivals then went up in 1998-99 to 14,437 while 1999-2000 saw the momentum slow a little with a marginal increase to 15,017. It should be noted that in the previous period, 10,475 visitors were Israeli, 1,609 Dutch and 584 Belgian.
A positive factor seen in recent years is the jump in Greeks who travel to the isle during winter, mostly for business reasons, due to greater availability of
flights.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
