This Summer We Travel to Greece
May 23, 2010 by Greek News
Filed under Commentaries, Community, Featured
“We love Greece, We help Greece” – If we, as Greek Americans don’t do it, who will?
During these difficult times, “Greek News” launches a two month campaign to promote Greek Tourism:
By Apostolos Zoupaniotis
Publisher/Editor of Greek News
This is a difficult time for our beloved Greece. After decades of wrong development, mismanagement, non-transparency, non-implementation of the law, indifference by those in government and by the general public, our homeland reached its lowest point; or as we say, it hit rock-bottom. The 110 billion Euro bail-out package by the IMF, the Eurogroup partners and the ECB for the next 18 months aiming at avoiding the default of Greece and above all of its creditors might turn out to be a water drop in the ocean, if the country will not follow a course of sustainable development that will secure jobs for the Greek people and income for the state.
Unfortunately, in the 30 years of being a member of the EU, Greece has stopped producing. It has lost the biggest part of its industrial production and its rural sector has transformed into an arid land. It’s only remaining strong industry is tourism (20% of the GDP and almost 30% of its labor force). However, tourism is fully dependent upon the international economic conditions and often on internal social events.
The negative publicity Greece received during the last months due to the imminent threat of bankruptcy and in the aftermath of the deaths of 3 bank employees as a result of a terrorist attack by masked-men during a worker’s demonstration was the drop that spilled the glass. In just a few days 27,000 cancellations from foreign travelers took place and there are fears for more.
We do believe that the Greek Government and the Greek people will do the obvious to help Greece get out of the impasse. But we too, its children that live beyond its borders, the 7 million of the Greek Diaspora must rise up to the circumstances and help Greece to stand on its feet again.
What we can do immediately in order to have quick results is to simply visit Greece this summer. And we should do it, not only because Greece is beautiful, magical, it refreshes us and rests our minds but because now more than ever Greece needs us.
-We did it in 1985-86, when the Reagan Administration issued the unjust travel advisory and we managed to change the negative climate for Greek tourism- Why not do the same now?
-If a foreign aggressor attacked Greece, how many of us wouldn’t rush to fight by its side. The same is now, only the aggressors are economic speculators.
-Just think what the Jewish Diaspora would do in such an instance. It would visit Israel against all odds. We, on the other hand, not only don’t go somewhere raged by war, but to the country of our forefathers where beauty and peace , the sun and the sea reign; to live for a few weeks close to our roots, to the richest of civilizations, culture and history of humankind.
In these difficult times, we should not be defeatists. We should not dwell on what the Government of Greece will do but what we, ourselves, can do for the land of our ancestors.
Many of us may have reasonable complaints and past bitter experiences. Despite this however, now is the time of duty and responsibility.
Only the fact that this campaign begins –without any government funding or encouragement- by “Greek News” a paper that, in its 7 years lifespan, has never received anything from GNTO means something; that it is we, the common Greek people who will save Greece, we who have an unconditional love for Greece and not those hungry for money opportunists .
That’s why we appeal to all of you, the Hellenes of America, to all philhellene Americans, to all the Greeks of Diaspora:
Let’s travel to Greece this summer
Enjoy Greece
Be part of the effort to save Greece
That’s a great idea by Greek News, and not only Greek Americans, but everybody should consider vacations in Greece now. The unrest in Athens shouldn’t be a problem, Greece has so many other great locations to offer. For instance Crete, where the hotel owners are longing for visitors now, and where tourists can get great value for their dollars. Rooms starting at $36, breakfast included! German weekly Der Spiegel just reported about that island (sry, German language only):
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,696144,00.html
You don’t have to understand the text (it’s about the decline of tourism because of the crisis), but just look at the pictures (click on “Fotostrecke”)! You get climate and seaside like in California, but in a different, interesting culture, with picturesque villages, and the chance to see palaces and temples that are over 3500 years old. What’s not to like?
Btw, attention investors: The report says some hotels are for sale, for instance the charming “Andromeda” (picture 5), 32 rooms, swimming pool on the roof deck, about $950,000…
Congratulations on your initiative! You set a very good example! Και πάλι συγχαρητήρια!
Follow our initiative in facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118366758187289
Congratulations for the campaign to promote Greek Tourism for Greek Americans.
As a Greek living in New York City and working for a Greek Yacht Charter Company I witness many Americans and also non-Americans changing their plans because of the crisis and riots.
It is a shame for the country but it is also sad that people think like that and is now afraid to travel to Greece.
so, please charter a sailboat this summer : http://www.cosmos-yachting.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Summer-We-Travel-to-Greece/130428740300527 ekana autin tin omada sto facebook elpizw na mhn peirazei an peirazei peste mou kai tha thn diagrapso
ekana autin tin omada ama den sas aresei peste mou kai tha thn diagrapso
Some people believe that Greece is an unsafe destination. Thats not true. All medias showed the riots in Athens but not the masive peacefull protest of the workers.
As it concerns the vacations, last weekend we have rented a small sailing ship and went to Ydra, Dokos, Methana and Agistri. The wholle trip lasted three days and costed 150 euros/person (including all meals, the rental, the fuel). There are many destinations, economic solutions, cheap places to stay, beautiful islands which are not so popular and not expensive at all and of course many campings.So consider it and not hesitate.
The sun is sunniest and the sea more blue than ever. Dont miss it!
Great initiative Apostolos, that is absolutely right! As Greeks Abroad we have a special responsibility to help our homeland! If we don’t how can we expect the others to?
We have set up a facebook group called Visit Greece This Summer too! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4152090&id=572039400#!/pages/Visit-Greece-This-Summer/114072468610445
keep up the good work!
That Der Spiegel story I mentioned above, about the problems for tourism in Greece, is now available in English language (in a shortened version, though)! Certainly interesting for Greek News readers:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,696493,00.html
Oh, and as the Spiegel rightly remarks: “An image campaign abroad could help, one that presents images of the other, hospitable side of Greece, the home of the sirtaki dance and tzatziki.”
Yes, an image campaign like the one started by Greek News!
My comment refers to an article of May 23rd “This Summer We Travel To Greece” We would love to forward this to all of our family and friends. Please advise how we can do this. Thank you.
Well if you are planning your holidays let me help you.
Go to Greece .
Greece is got the hospitality that everyone wants >But most of all the real traditional food Moussaka calamari Greek dips and the famous greek OUZO .
Then imagine sitting some greek island like Hydra take your kids there is safe no cars no motor bikes just donkeys and boats i use to live there is my Paradise but you got so may more islands villages and history to see
So for a good value authentic and SAFE holiday please go to GREECE you go once and you will go again and again and again.
Congratulations for the Campaign to promote Greek Tourism for Greek Americans, it is a very good initiative and I am excited to participate.
As a Greek living in New York City and working for a Greek Yacht Charter Company I have noticed many cancellations and changing of plans from people traveling to Greece. It is so sad…
We should all go to Greece this summer and show that it is the best place for summer holidays !
Sail in Greece with http://www.cosmos-yachting.com
I just returned from a two week stay in Greece, mostly in Athens. I go every year and I didn’t want to make this year an exception. I spent time discussing the situation with my relatives there and as you would expect, some are suffering, economically, and others are doing okay.
There are certainly problems there in Greece, but most of the bad publicity is hype. While there were some unfortunate deaths in a previous demonstration, there are more problems in Detroit each day than in Athens. I attended two major demonstrations while I was there and they were well under control.
While I didn’t spend a ton of money while I was there, I would expect that every little bit helps. Tourism is the main industry and probably the quickest way to inject money into the system.
I never felt unsafe while I was there. Maybe I should say any less safe than usual. The biggest problem there for tourists, from what I see, is that so many get robbed by pickpockets. But as far as the possibility of physical harm, I don’t think there is any real concern.
I am planning on going back in October and hope the situation will be better by then.
Greg Zafros
Αγαπητοί συμπατριώτες,
όπου κι΄αν βρίσκεστε εύχομαι να γίνεται οι καλύτεροι πρεσβευτές της Ελλάδας,όχι μόνο για τις ομορφιές της αλλά και για την πολιτιστική ζωή της.΄Αν αποφασίσετε να κάνετε διακοπές στην Ελλάδα,θα μπορέσετε να απολαύσετε όχι μόνο τον ήλιο ,την θάλλασσα και το φαγητό,αλλά και τις εκδηλώσεις πολιτισμού που το καλοκαίρι είναι πάρα πολλές ,εξαιτίας και του υπέροχου καιρού.Δείτε θέατρο,συναυλίες και παραδοσιακές εκδηλώσεις π.χ.τοπικά πανηγύρια και γιορτές τον Δεκαπενταυγουστο.Επίσης μην διστάσετε να επισκεφθείτε και άλλες περιοχές της πατρίδας,όπως την ΄Ηπειρο,την Μακεδονία,την Χαλκιδική{υπέροχες μεγάλες παραλίες με γαλαζοπράσινη θάλασσα,πεύκα που φθάνουν μέχρι το νερό,πράσινο ,ξενοδοχεία και καταλύματα όλων των οικονομικών δυνατοτήτων και πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις σε μαγευτικά μέρη,όπως το θεατρο Σάνη}.Θα ήθελα επίσης να σας βεβαιώσω ότι δεν υπάρχει κίνδυνος είτε στην Αθήνα,πολύ δε περισσότερο σε άλλες πόλεις ή περιοχές στην Ελλάδα.Αυτά που προβάλλονται στην τηλεόραση δεν είναι πάντα όπως φαίνονται.Ειδικά το καλοκαίρι η μόνη φασαρία που θα αντιμετωπίσετε είναι από τις παρέες που ξενυχτάνε και τραγουδάνε πηγαίνοντας το χάραμα για να κοιμηθούν.Σας περιμένουμε όλους με χαρά
Καλές διακοπές -καλό καλοκαίρι
Χαιρετίσματα από την πατρίδα
http://www.cosmos-yachting.com
Sail the Aegean !
Bravooo god drive….I have went island from Bodrum TR. don’t understand why don’t call Turkish people…Because they have money,opportunity,affluence things… They are really friendly to Ellas
I really wanna help Greece!!!!