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With the long-awaited opening of the Rio-Antirio bridge across the western end of the Gulf of Corinth — Rio on the Peloponnesian side and Antirio on the northern coast – tourism to the area is expected to increase by leaps and bounds. And according to some initial estimates, Antirio’s population will triple over the next 15 years.

Numbers of visitors to popular Greek destinations outside of the general Athens area – passengers on scheduled flights arriving at Athens International Airport were up 14% during the first half of the year when compared with the same period last year – may not be as high as last year, but not all destinations are suffering.

Stamatis Mavros, President of the Hellenic Culture Organization, during the presentation of the Cultural Olympiad last month at Zappeion Hall, said that the main idea that led us to the Cultural Olympiad was based on the necessity for a series of remarkable cultural events during the 4-year period preceding the Olympic Games.

The Greek economy can advance and prosper in the international environment only if it develops itself to cater to up-market tourism and wealthy foreigners wishing to acquire holiday homes, said well-known investor and American fund manager, George Soros, during a recent visit to Athens. “This is virtually the only prospect that could attract foreign investment capital,” he said.

Greece’s prefectures get 30% more than last year in funds for tourism promotion from the Hellenic Tourism Organization. Deputy Tourism Minister Anastassios Liaskos told reporters last month that the funds allocated this year amount to 4.5 million euros, against the three million awarded to prefecture tourism committees last year.

Hellenic Railways Organization announced last month that it has completed most of the renovation project being carried out on the popular scenic railway line connecting Diakopto and Kalavryta. It said the Diakopto-Kalavryta Cog Railway system is ready to receive the new trains that have been ordered by the organization, and enthusiastic summer passengers.

The tourism boom around one of the world’s most popular summer holiday destinations, the Mediterranean Sea, is endangering freshwater supplies and tourists in the area must cut their consumption, the environmental group WWF said in an announcement last month.

Prospects for travel by seniors to Greece is more than optimistic, said the head of the Research Institiute for Toruism (ITEP), Professor Panagiotis Pavlopoulos, during the recent presentation of the institute’s latest study. He said seniors are increasing in numbers as a percentage of the world’s traveling population, they have free time for travel all year around, and they have money to spend. These travelers are also culture minded. “What better destination for senior travelers than Greece?”

The World Conference on New Trends and Measures in the Hotel Industry, jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the International Hotel and Restaurants Association (IH&RA), last month suggested a cautious, albeit systematic approach to hotel classification at world level with a view to reconciling the legitimate demands and concerns of consumers and industry with the obligations of governments.

Greek coastal shipowners have taken the bull by the horns and come hell or high water will attempt this year to settle the waters after almost three years of rough seas. For example, last month the Greek Coastal Shipowners Association issued an open threat to the Merchant Marine Ministry. The association said it would take strong collective action if there were any penal or administrative proceedings against any of its members because of increased fares. In its open letter, the association reminded that “after the end of regulation on January 1, the system for free provision of services and competition applies, always within the framework of national and Community legislation.”