Issue 24
15/05/2012
GREEK TRAVEL BUSINESS NEWS

Best twitter account for VisitGreece on the Greek
e-awards 2012.
Thank you very much for your love and support!

DISCOUNTS @ 13 AIRPORTS ACROSS GREECE

A new discount has been launched by the Greek Minister of Transport, aiming to boost tourism. Until the end of 2012, 13 peripheral Greek airports will receive airplanes without having to pay certain obligatory taxes for using their 'services.' That apparently makes Greek airports some of the cheapest in Europe. With this decision, the Ministry of Transport aims at enhancing Greek tourism, which according to statistical predictions is expected to have a 10% decline for 2012 in comparison to last year's data. The discount is applied to taxes paid by airline companies for services they are being offered during landing, and waiting time in spaces of all state airports of Greece, with the exception of the National Airport of Athens.

The reduction in airport charges will not be applied on the so-called "spatosimo" tax imposed on passengers departing from all Greek airports, namely the tax for the development of airports, and on other required taxes that will be paid as usual by airline companies. As the Ministry announced, the measure aims at increasing the number of regular, commercial and charter flights to peripheral Greek airports and hopefully boost the tourism for the entire year.

RALLLY ACROPOLIS 2012

For more than half a century Athens, Greece remains faithful to its appointment with major sport events. The heart of the World Rally Championship keeps its beat for a week every year with the conduct of the Acropolis Rally! All the main contenders of the World Rally Championship are in the entry list of the Acropolis Rally 2012! The Acropolis Rally of Greece will typically start on Thursday, 24 May at 17:00, with the ceremonial start in front of Zappion and 55 crews taking part in it. After the Argentina Rally, the teams and crews will have to prepare for the toughest event of the WRC calendar, which is bigger in both its length and days being held. The Acropolis Rally 2012 that will be held from May 24th to 27th will host crews from 32 countries that will compete in 22 special stages of 410 kilometers in total. Stay tuned for the 58th rendez-vous of Greece with the World Rally Championship! Detailed information, program and maps of the rally, can be found at the official site of Acropolis Rally.

INTERNATIONAL CYCLING TOUR OF HELLAS

For 5 days, from 16th to 20th May, the 18th International Cycling Tour of Hellas, the top international cycling event in Greece, with its long history and special national significance, aspires to attract the sporting interest both in Greece and abroad, as approximately 100 riders from many foreign countries will compete, cycling along routes of unique natural beauty, which once again will prove Greece to be an ideal tourist destination, and at the same time they will show the world our unique cultural identity during a sensitive time for our country. In an especially difficult year and with the simultaneous expensive preparation of all 3 National Teams for the London Olympics, the Hellenic Cycling Federation decided to hold again the INTERNATIONAL CYCLING TOUR OF HELLAS in order to give one more opportunity to our country to show its unspent touristic – cultural capital, through a high standard competition. This year the selected routes of the 5-day race are unfolding in an exciting way for both the competing riders and spectators the impressive alternations between the sea and mountains and the variety of altitudes, bringing out the unique flora of the Peloponnesian scenery and its magnificent bas-relief. The race is enrolled in the UCI International Calendar and is expected to attract international cycling interest. Leonidio, Sparta, Kalamata, Methoni, Ancient Olympia and Kalavryta are only some of the places in Peloponnese past which the race will pass this year. Scenery that smacks of history and civilization, such as Ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Mystras, are included in the competition routes of the Tour of Hellas, which has always combined sporting and tourist interest harmoniously. Through the 5 stages of the race one will enjoy the dignified slopes in the mountainous scenery of Mt. Taygetos and the indented coastline from Petalidi, Koroni, Finikounta and Methoni to Kalamata.

HELLENIC – TURKISH SAILING WEEK 2012

Under the auspices of Greek National Tourism Organization and the Nautical Club of Greece, ELOUNDA S.A. in collaboration with the Yacht Club of Agios Nikolaos in Crete, organizes the Hellenic – Turkish Sailing Week under the name "ELOUNDA PENINSULA HELLENIC – TURKISH SAILING WEEK 2012". The sailing race will take place on June 8, 9 and 10 in Crete (Elounda area) with the participation of Greek and Turkish sailors. The purpose of the organization is a dynamic display of Crete as a leading tourist destination of high standards, the strengthening of competitive sailing and the development and tightening of friendly relations between the two countries. The event will be filmed by a production company with extensive experience in respective world-class events and will be screened in Greece and Turkey. Highlights of the race will be screened also in major TV networks in Europe. At the race which will be held on June 8, among others, will participate also mega yachts from both countries, while at the race on June 9 will participate smaller racing boats and tourism boats.

For full programme visit: www.eloundapeninsula.com

THE 2012 WORLD MEDIA ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IN GREECE

After Stockholm (Sweden), Zurich (Switzerland), London (UK), Pamplona (Spain), Turku (Finland), Montreal (Canada), Lisbon (Portugal), Beijing (China) and Bogota (Colombia), the conference will finally head to a special Mediterranean destination. The 2012 World Media Economics & Management Conference, a biennial meeting of the global community of media business bringing together scholars to reflect on contemporary issues of economics and management of media industries and firms, aims to provide once again a platform for creative meeting of academics in the media sector. Taking place for the first time in Southeastern Mediterranean, the organizers of the 2012 conference, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Athens, look forward to welcoming scholars and professionals from this broader geographical area in order to engage their research and practice in interaction with the global scenery.

Participants should expect to discover a beautiful city, full of life, Thessaloniki: urban space, historic monuments, city neighborhoods, busy streets, traditional tavernas, cultural events, panoramic views and a marvelous waterfront are elements that shape Thessaloniki's physiognomy, elements to be seen during the Media Economics & Management Conference 2012.

Updated information about the 2012 WMEMC you may find on the website: www.woldmediaXconf.gr

THE NEW TRIAL OF SOCRATES

In the spring of 399 B.C., Socrates confronted 500 Athenians, citizens, judges and jurors, in his trial initiated by the charges leveled at him by Meletus, Anytos and Lycon. The trial began with a reading of the formal charges: "Socrates is a doer of evil, and corrupter of the youth, and he does not acknowledge the gods of the state, and he believes in other new divinities of his own."

On May 2012, almost 2,500 years later, the trial of Socrates is repeated. This time Socrates is acquitted in a historical trial which is not a re-enactment but a modern perspective based on current legal framework supplemented with ancient Greek elements and comical theatrics.

The Alexander S. Onassis Foundation found advocates for its venture, top American and European judges and lawyers, who all examined the trial material retrieved from ancient texts by Plato (Apology, Crito, Euthyphro, Phaedo), Xenophon (Memorabilia) and Aristophanes (The Clouds), as well as the corresponding Athenian law of that time.

The event will be held in English and French languages, with concurrent translation.
The event will be streamed live at: www.sgt.gr/dikisocrati

THIS IS MY ATHENS

Travellers planning a trip to Athens, are encouraged to apply online for a "This is My Athens" personal "showing around town" with an Athens Local. Let an Athenian take you to that special neighborhood bakery, or show you some great neighborhoods along the Southern coast and the breathtaking promenades. Let an Athens local tell you all about that great restaurant near the Acropolis that makes that must-try Greek dish. Go shopping with a local Athenian that knows all those great little shops for special handmade souvenirs.

For more information visit: http://thisisathens.org

SANI GOURMET

The journey to the essence of the Greek Cuisine continues further in 2012 as Sani Gourmet unfurls a more thorough dialogue about the influences of the past and the present, the mix of tradition with twists of contemporary techniques and the importance of the ''culinary base'' that formed the core of what is the cuisine of Greece today. Undoubtedly, our aim is to broaden the perspectives of ''what is the Greek cuisine now'' and what does this mean to people, not only to the Greeks but also to the international crowd.

Moreover, to communicate further the New Greek Cuisine Vol2 to the world, creating a showcase that not only will put Greece to the international culinary map shaping a new, better image, but it will also prove to be an important and powerful touristic product to promote. Therefore, we invite the most representative Greek chefs from Greece and abroad, distinguished for their knowledge, experience and passion to showcase the delicious variety of Greek cuisine in its superb combination of custom and innovation. As such, we would be delighted and honored if you were able to participate to our event.

For years now, Sani Gourmet has been supporting the efforts of top Greek chefs, inspired by the culinary traditions of their country and modifying and adapting them to the contemporary world. We shall be inviting chefs distinguished for their knowledge, experience and passion to showcase the delicious variety of Greek cuisine in its superb combination of tradition and innovation. In a spirit of friendly rivalry, our chefs will be launching a debate on New Greek Cuisine, bringing into focus its special properties and qualities. A week of events that we hope will demonstrate the truth of an old saying: the secret of beauty lies in simplicity.