Industry sectors

Greece’s major retail trade players are expressing their opposition to a recent decision by the government to keep shops open on 30 Sundays a year.

The Greek Health Tourism Confederation is offering Diaspora Greeks from New York and Montreal the option to access medical services in Greece at a friendlier cost via vitabooking.com.

The Greek Confederation of Tourist Accommodation Enterprises (SETKE) is calling on the government to reconsider plans to liberalize short-term tourist rentals.

US and Canada nationals traveling to Europe will not need a visa due to the “significant progress achieved during the last year”, the European Commission said.

Costa Navarino is currently holding an environmental program on the nature and history of the region of Messinia, addressed to high school and elementary students.

The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced a 48-hour nationwide strike in all ship categories on May 16-17.

Air China and China Eastern Airlines are expected to introduce direct flights to Athens, according to Piraeus Port Authority Managing Director Fu Cheng Qiu.

Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway can phase out temporary controls currently in place at their internal Schengen borders over the next six months.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has announced plans to increase the frequency of routes from Switzerland to Greece for summer 2017.

Entrada has integrated with global airfare platform MyFareBox and incorporated Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airways into its content for travel providers.

Hotel occupancy is on the rise in Greece and is expected to break all previous records, according to Hellenic Hotel Federation President, Yiannis Retsos.

The launch of a cruise berthing management system that will regulate incoming traffic to Santorini has been announced by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira.

Two bilateral agreements were signed in Athens to mark the occasion of the official launch of the Greece – China Year of Cultural Exchange.

Known for its true Cretan hospitality, Pepi Boutique Hotel in Rethymno, is ready to welcome its first summer guests after a series of upgrades and renovations.

Piraeus is among 22 ports to be visited by the Majestic Princess on her 49-day “Silk Road Sea Route” from Rome to Shanghai.

Austrian Airlines has launched onboard Internet services and is also working on a digital entertainment program, soon to be available on mobile devices.

Aqua Vista Hotels has introduced its own art space – the “Aqua Gallery” – at the Art Hotel Santorini, which will feature creations of Greek artists.

The Stanley Hotel has completed an extended renovation project, which includes new features in the majority of its rooms, as well as two additional conference venues and a gym.

Les Roches has been ranked among the top 5 higher education institutions worldwide for hospitality and leisure management studies.

Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development Yiorgos Tziallas attended the 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, which took place in Poland.