Early Reservations for Chalkidiki Drop

The tourism traffic to Chalkidiki recorded a five percent increase in 2008 over 2007, according to local tourism professionals who calculate the increase in tourism revenue at seven percent for the same period of comparison.

“There were no significant differences in arrivals from Central Europe and the increase is a result of arrivals from Russia (mainly), Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia,” said the president of the Hoteliers Association of Chalkidiki, Gerasimos Bakoyiannis.

However, for 2009, early bookings in Chalkidiki from Central Europe -that began in November 2008 and are expected to peak in March- already show a 20-25 percent drop compared with the 2008 period.

In addition, Mr. Bakoyiannis mentioned that four major investments are currently in progress for the creation of high-standard hotels in Chalkidiki.

Two of them, which are to be located in Paliouri, Cassandra, will bear the signature of Russian entrepreneurs.

Mr. Bakoyiannis said that Chalkidiki is in need of high standard hotels as the five-star hotels that exist at the moment account for only five percent of total hotel beds.