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A total of up to 500 people a day can visit Sarande from Corfu and vice-versa thanks to three small ferries which carry out three sailings daily. The sailings were resumed after disturbances a few years back and now there is an upward trend regarding passenger travel.

A new “wonder” and millennium monument will be built on Rodos harbour by 2004, according to the island’s mayor, Giorgos Yiannopoulos. The monument will draw inspiration from the “Kolossos” statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the World that was allegedly ruined some 2,220 years ago.

Dodecanese Maritime, a new provincial company, launched a newly-built catamaran named the Dodecanese Express last month at Greece’s main port, Piraeus. The vessel then made its way to Rodos, where it will be based. The vessel, which is 40.5 meters long and 11.46 meters wide, will provide a local service in the Dodecanese. It can carry 341 passengers and six passenger vehicles.

Within the next two years, the Greek coastal shipping sector will accept delivery of some 50 new ferry vessels. With these new fast ships, the time it will take to sail from Piraeus and Rafina to the Greek islands, and Italy, will be substantially reduced.

Just a few days before the start of the new millennium, the Village Entertainment Park opened its doors to the Greek public. Promoted as the largest such leisure park, not only in Greece but also in all of Europe, the 40-billion-drachma venture sports 20 cinema screens, 45 stores, restaurants and cafes.

“Sales commission for travel agents has been reduced; there are fewer discounts available; special group rates have been abolished; and prices have risen more than 20% on some routes.”

Greece’s domestic tourism fair, which has opened its doors to international exhibitors for the first time, expects to host a record number, more than 250, of exhibitors this year. From the international arena, organizer Kappa Exhibitions expects participation from countries such as Tunisia, Malaysia, Turkey and Libya. The fair, which presents almost every possible Greek tourism destination, and the tourism products available in each, takes place from May 10 to 14 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

One of the many aims of the Louis Group of Cyprus is to fly the Greek flag on its cruise vessels. “It’s a shame Greek ships do not fly Greek flags,” said the Louis Group’s chairman, Costas Loizou, at a recent Athens press conference, “as this is in Greece’s interest and in the interest of the company.”

Cooperation with Turkish businessmen to establish a connection between Kusadasi and Thessaloniki was considered at a recent meeting in Istanbul between Greece’s DANE lines and the president of the Greek-Turkish Council Iakovos Geronikolas.

GA Ferries has enlarged its fleet of ferries through the recent acquisition of three new, modern vessels. The first of the new high-speed vessels, the Milenaki, will take on Cycladic routes this May.