Destinations

Greece’s major seaports are scheduled to undergo a series of large construction projects designed to upgrade their infrastructure and increase their cargo handling capacity.

The 2004 Olympiad provides the greatest opportunity for the reformation and development of Piraeus, said Antonis Nikolopoulos, of Kantor Management Consultants, at the recent international conference EuroMare 2001. Piraeus Port …

Twelve companies have applied to participate in the Hellenic Tourism Organization’s competition for the promotion of Attica in view of the 2004 Olympic Games. The organization said it was pleased with the strong response.

After summer inspections of a good portion of the 351 Greek beach properties awarded the prestigious 2001 Blue Flag designation, 23 beaches were stripped of their award. The inspectors came from the head organization, the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe, and the local operator, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.

Between 30 billion and 40 billion drachmas worth of expansion projects are planned for the Afantou area on the island of Rodos. Proposed projects include a 3-lane golf course, a hotel and auxiliary lodgings, commercial units, and a hotel marina.

A marina complex worth 9.35 billion drachmas built on the Ionian island of Lefkas began operation last month. The marina, which can berth up to 500 yachts, includes some 72 stremma of property that hosts a marine control tower, shipping club, stores, a hotel and a ship repair unit.

Hellenic Tourism Properties called on the three consortiums that had bid for 10-year concession contracts for five state-run Athens beaches to improve their offers, both in the line of the lease fees and improvement works promised.

Work has started on what is proposed to be the biggest and most modern golf course in Greece, the Crete Golf Club. The 18-hole course of 6,400 yards (720 stremma), just 20 kilometers from Heraklion’s international airport, will be built on Par 72 Championship standard. The unit will boast two driving ranges and a state-of-the-art Golf Academy, complete with practice putting greens and a ‘short game’ practice area.

Some 20 new hotels with a total capacity of some 5.000 beds and costing an estimated 100 billion drachmas are expected to be built in Attica over the years leading up to the 2004 Olympics, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said last month.

Greece’s potential as a unique destination for rock climbers was explored last month by climbers from 11 countries during the Kalymnos 2000 International Rock Climbing Meeting organized by the Kalymnos municipality, the Hellenic Alpine Club and brother European organizations.