September 2001

BA flight schedule 9-17 through 9-23

NORTH AMERICAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 17 – 23, 2001
ALL North American flights will be operating EXCEPT for the following
services on the days specified:

Monday, September 17: (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 213 BOS BA 212
BA 185 EWR BA 184
BA 223 IAD BA 222
BA 207 MIA BA 206
BA 297 ORD BA 296
BA 285 SFO BA 284

Tuesday, September 18. (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 213 BOS BA 212
BA 185 EWR BA 184
BA 223 IAD BA 222
BA 297 ORD BA 296

Wednesday, September 19. (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 213 BOS BA 212
BA 223 IAD BA 222
BA 207 MIA BA 206
BA 297 ORD BA 296

Thursday, September 20: (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 213 BOS BA 212
BA 207 MIA BA 206
BA 297 ORD BA 296

Friday, September 21: (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 207 MIA BA 206
BA 297 ORD BA 296

Saturday, September 22: (ALL flights EXCEPT)

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 297 ORD BA 296

Sunday, September 23:
Normal scheduled services are in effect.

ALL FLIGHTS FROM THE USA TO LONDON GATWICK WILL BE IN
FULL OPERATION AS SCHEDULED FROM MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2001.

British Airways update 9-18-01
USA Situation
Update as at 18th September 2001, 1300 hrs EST
For the latest information on operations, please visit our website at:
www.britishairways.com


Only 5 services between Heathrow and the USA remain suspended

FROM LHR TO / FROM TO LHR
BA 213 BOS BA 212
BA 185 EWR BA 184
BA 223 IAD BA 222
*BA 207 *MIA *BA 206
BA 297 ORD BA 296


*BA207 & BA206 (LHR-MIA-LHR) will operate 18SEP only


These remaining services will be reintroduced during the week, with the aim of having full scheduled operations to the
United States in place by Sunday 23rd September.

The airline said: "British Airways is very pleased to be able to return to the United States. Our thoughts remain with all
those people affected by last week's atrocities in the United States and with our colleagues at American and United Airlines."


Rest of World flights
· Flights to Tel Aviv are operating normally.
· Flights to Islamabad are suspended until Saturday 6th October

We plan to resume a full operation as soon as possible.

If your clients are waitlisted for any British Airways flight, please ensure you enter a local telephone number to their record, so that we may contact the passenger directly to advise if their waitlist has cleared. If your clients do not intend to travel, please cancel their booking.


MINIMUM CONNECTING TIMES
LONDON AIRPORTS HAVE BEEN INCREASED AS FOLLOWS
At Heathrow & Gatwick Terminal to Terminal - 2 Hours
Between Heathrow & Gatwick - 4 Hours

THRU CHECK-IN UPDATE
Transfer Passengers - Thru Baggage Procedures
HEATHROW - Transfer Passengers must clear baggage at the first point and recheck-in
GATWICK - Thru Check-in for passengers and bags transferring into and out of LGW only is reinstated

British Airways new security procedures
USA Situation
Update as at 15th September 2001, 1130 hrs EST
For the latest information on operations, please visit our website
at: www.britishairways.com

Please find below a security notice now applicable to all British Airways flights.


Security Notice
Following last week’s events in the United States, a number of
increased security measures are in place.

Please be advised that with immediate effect the following items are strictly
forbidden to be carried on board the cabin of any British Airways’ aircraft.

· · Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
· · Household cutlery
· · Knives with blades of any length (including steel nail
files)
· · Paper knives
· · Razor blades
· · Tradesmen’s tools
· · Darts
· · Scissors of any size
· · Hypodermic syringes *
· · Knitting needles
· · Sporting bats (including rackets, cricket bats and golf
clubs)
· · Billiard, snooker, or pool cues
· · Catapults (Slingshots)
· · Corkscrews with blades attached

* Customers who require the use of hypodermic needles for
medical reasons (for example, diabetics and customers with
allergies), will be asked for proof of medical need.

Please be advised that customers carrying any of the above items (with the
exception of hypodermic needles) will be asked to place it in their hold baggage.

Customers carrying hand baggage only will be asked to surrender the item for
disposal byBritish Airways.

We would appreciate your support in communicating these increased security
measures to your customers.

If any of your passengers wish to call British Airways regarding their
flights, please ask them to call us at 800 AIRWAYS (800-247-9297)
within the USA and Canada or 0845 77 99977 within the UK.

The above information is correct at time of distribution but is subject
to regular review. We will keep you updated should the situation
change or should we have any further information for you and your
customers.

USA situation - BA re-booking policy
USA Situation
Update as at 15th September 2001, 1130 hrs EST
For the latest information on operations, please visit our website
at: www.britishairways.com

Revised policy on rebooking and refunds
Flights from the USA to UK Tuesday 11th to Monday 17th
September inclusive
Passengers who either have had their flight cancelled, or had a
confirmed booking between these dates and now wish to cancel can
either:
· rebook for an alternative date up until 31st October 2001, subject to
availability of their original booking class
· take a full refund, which will be honoured by British Airways at the
appropriate rate

Flights from the USA to UK (excluding New York airports)
from Tuesday 18th to Friday 21st September inclusive
Passengers who either have had their flight cancelled, or had a
confirmed booking between these dates and now wish to cancel can:
· rebook for an alternative date up until 31st October 2001, subject to
availability of their original booking class at no additional charge

Flights from New York aiports to the UK from Tuesday 18th
to Friday 21st September inclusive
Passengers who either have had their flight cancelled, or had a
confirmed booking between these dates and now wish to cancel can
either:
· rebook for an alternative date up until 31st October 2001, subject to
availability of their original booking class at no additional charge
· take a full refund, which will be honoured by British Airways at the
appropriate rate

Flights from Canada to the UK from Friday 14th September
With immediate effect, the normal British Airways rebooking and
refund policy applies

Flights from the UK to Islamabad from Friday 14th to Monday
24th September inclusive
British Airways will not operate flights to Islamabad until Tuesday
25th September. Therefore, passengers who either have had their
flight cancelled, or had a confirmed booking between these dates and
now wish to cancel can either:
· rebook for an alternative date up until 31st October 2001, subject to
availability of their original booking class at no additional charge
· take a full refund, which will be honoured by British Airways at the
appropriate rate

Flights from the UK to Rest Of World (including Tel Aviv)
from Friday 14th
With immediate effect, the normal British Airways rebooking and
refund policy applies

Rest of World flights as of Friday 14th September
· Scheduled services from Canada to the UK have begun (Friday September
14th).
· Flights to Tel Aviv are operating normally.
· Flights to Islamabad are suspended until Tuesday 25th September.

If any of your passengers wish to call British Airways regarding their flights, please
ask them to call us at
800-AIRWAYS (800-247-9297) within the USA or Canada or 0845 77 999 77
within UK.

The above information is correct at time of distribution but is subject
to regular review. We will keep you updated should the situation
change or should we have any further information for you and your
customers.

MARKETING 101

The 2001 summer season is coming to an end. Although we do not have a complete picture, the word is out that it wasn't one of the best seasons. We will not go into the discussion what is a good, medium or bad season. We will just leave it at; it wasn't the best, which mean it wasn't bad. Concurrently the contracts for the 2002 season have been finalized with great disappointment, since prices in some cases are below last years prices, with the better prices being +3% over this seasons prices.

For all of this, we silently complain and simply cut down on our expenses so we can "manage", and go on our vacations since we are exhausted from serving those who came for their vacations and come back a bit earlier to "freshen up" and accept the vacationers for the new season.

Our dear friends the solution is very simple, its called "Marketing 101", the basic marketing course.

I don't want to hear that "this is tourism" or "this is Greece" etc and what the books say cannot be applied. I repeat, Principles of Marketing... product, price, promotion and place.

These are the rules used internationally and especially by the Tour Operators who do business with Greece. They make their contracts based on an over all Marketing Plan which includes among other destinations, Greece.

Their Marketing Plan contains a number of destinations with a variety of services and prices aimed to meet their clientsΥ needs and eventually make a profit. To implement their Marketing Plan they need to invest.

This is what they do. What do we do as individual enterprises? Where is our Marketing Plan? Yes, I forgot to mention, that tourism is a very sensitive industry affected by many external factors. Well that is why when you make a Marketing Plan you have a contingency plan. And most important where are our investments? That is another topic of discussion all by itself, because investment is not just to spend money to go to travel trade exhibitions abroad or to change furniture.

Also lets forget about what the government officials can do for us. Probably they are doing much more than what they should.

Its crystal clear, "Marketing 101". Learn the rules of the game and play with them.

Hellenic Travelling

PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN ZANTE

A meeting regarding the National Sea Park in Zante was recently organized by the Ministry for Area Development, Town Planning and Environment. It took place on the island on May 26 and was mainly sponsored by Best Western Zante Park hotel.

The National Sea Park of Zante is on the south part of the island, 250 meters from Best Western Zante Park hotel. It is situated on the gulf of Laganas, as most of the beaches there serve as birthplaces for the sea turtle Caretta-Caretta.

The Park is famous for its flora and fauna and it is the habitat of a vast number of species, the most important of which are the sea turtle Caretta-Caretta and the Mediterranean seal Monachus-Monachus, as they have been characterized as endangered species.

Mrs. Christina Tetradis, owner of "Hotel Enterprises Corporation Tetras S.A." recently stated that Best Western Zante Park hotel will be the ringleader and will support all efforts to protect the environment. Therefore, the hotel, in collaboration with the volunteers of ARHELON, organizes weekly briefings of its customers regarding the history and the protection of Caretta-Caretta, in case they wish to be of assistance.

NOVELTIES IN TOURIST EDUCATION

The members of the National Tourism Council recently received a draft from Mr. Nikos Christodoulakis, Minister of development, regarding Tourist Education, so as to initiate a dialogue with those involved on the issue of tourist instruction and the system behind it.

Primary aim for the support of tourism development and the improvement of the quality of services is the upgrading of tourist education. Problems and weaknesses in this field will thus be dealt with through a complete restructuring of services and the procedures followed up to the present time.

According to the draft,
* The main goal of tourism schools will be to support the people who are involved in the tourist business.

* The organization and content of curriculum will be upgraded so as to reach the level of Technical Educational Institutes, a change that will give students the opportunity to pursue post-graduate studies.

* Instruction can be done in the English language as well, in collaboration with schools from abroad.

* Ongoing seminars will be organized in order to keep both students and employees in the field of tourism up to date.

* Greater emphasis will be placed on the practical aspect of the tourist business, as students will be given the opportunity to practice in real working conditions.

* Finally, efforts will be made to ensure the vocational future of the graduates, as well as to clarify the obligations of employees in the tourist business and to care for the assertion of their rights, in order to standardize the quality of the services provided at a high level.

FIRST BA CONCORDE FLIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS

The supersonic aircraft with the codename "Alpha Foxtrot" took off on July 17, 2001 from Heathrow Airport at 13:18 GMT for a test flight that lasted three hours and twenty minutes over the Atlantic Ocean up to Ireland and back to Great Britain.

Right after its landing on Brize Norton base of the British air force, the captain Mike Bannister stated that the "behavior" of the aircraft was superb.

Rod Eddington, CEO of British Airways, said: "A major step was made towards the safe use of Concorde aircrafts in the Commercial Aviation again. It was a very important day for all of us in British Airways and we look forward to putting the aircraft back into the service of our clients".

The Concord remained in Brize Norton for a few days for further evaluation.

NTOG PROMOTES TOURISM IN SKYROS

The National Tourist Organization of Greece is giving incentives for the promotion of tourism in Skyros after the major earthquake in July. According to Mr. Nikos Christodoulakis, Minister of Development, and Mr. Eugene Giannakopoulos, president of N.T.O.G., extraordinary measures had to be taken for Skyros in the framework of the program for Social Tourism for the year 2001.

More specifically:
- Those who made use of the program for Social Tourism and visited Skyros the previous year can have the opportunity to participate in the program again this year.

- Subsidies per person will be larger in order to help visitors to cut down on their holiday expenses and to give greater support to hoteliers.

For hotels and furnished apartments subsidies are up to 4.000 drachmas a day per person instead of the 3.000 drachmas that the program usually grants.

For rented rooms the amount given is 3.000 drachmas a day per person again 1.000 drachmas more than the amount given for other destinations.

Finally, campers will be granted 1.000 drachmas a day.
This program is going to be in effect for the whole year.

SANTORINI MOST POPULAR EUROPEAN DESTINATION FOR 2001

Santorini was chosen as the most popular island in Europe for 2001 by the readers of TRAVEL & LEISURE, a magazine that is owned by AMERICAN EXPRESS and has worldwide circulation.

According to the readers, the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes took fourth and fifth place respectively, coming after Sicily and Capri.
Furthermore, Santorini was the sole European island among the ten most popular islands worldwide, taking seventh place.

IFWTO CONVENTION IN GREECE

"Women in Tourism" welcomed 300 members from twenty countries, that participated in the 35th annual convention of IFWTO (International Federation of Women Travel Organization) with a series of happenings in Athens, Myconos, Rhodes and Corfu.

The convention took place aboard a cruiser touring the Greek islands and the members, all of them decision-makers in the field of tourism, experienced the Greek hospitality, tasted traditional food and danced "syrtaki" at the happenings that were organized in Dionyssos by "Women in Tourism", with the sponsoring of N.T.O.G. IN Athens, the municipality of Myconos, the travel agency "Meridian" in Myconos, and the municipalities of Rhodes and Corfu. Television stations EXTRA and ALTER sponsored the communications during the convention.

Greek designer, Mrs. Katy Tazedakis, offered the president of IFWTO jewels inspired from Greek flowers. "You know how to organize conventions", were the words of Governor, Mrs. J. Loutfi to the members of the Greek Federation.

BLUE FLAGS TO CANDIA MARIS AND SILVA MARIS HOTELS

Candia Maris and Silva Maris hotels were once again awarded Blue Flags for their beaches by the European Committee of the program "Blue Flags in Europe".

These awards are further proof of the successful policy of Maris Hotels to offer top quality services and to protect the environment.
Special events were organized separately at the two hotels for the award of the Blue Flags, on the 28th of June in Candia Maris and on the 29th of June in Silva Maris. The local authorities, as well as executives and clients of the hotels were present.

In Candia Maris hotel the Blue Flag was awarded to the Manager of the hotel, Mr. N. Dandaris, by the Mayor of Gazi, Mr. G. Markoyannakis. In Silva Maris hotel it was awarded to the Manager, Mr. M. Tzitzibakis, by the Deputy Mayor of Hersonissos, Mr. Tsangarakis.

The criteria for the award of Blue Flags, based on which these hotels were selected, are the following:

- Quality and testing of the seawater.
- Organization of the beach.
- Safety of the swimmers.
- Information and environmental education.

It is noteworthy that on a special part of the beach of Candia Maris hotel visitors have the opportunity to admire various typical species of the flora and fauna of the area.

NEW MARINA IN KOS

The opening of the new marina of the municipality of Kos, the first Greek marina in the Aegean Sea, took place on Saturday the 21st of July.

Mrs. Vasso Papandreou, Minister for Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization, who made the decision for the marina to devolve to the municipality of Kos, received the freedom of the town of Kos and was given the golden medal of the town by the Mayor, Mr. Miltiadis Fakkos.

Mrs. Papandreou also inaugurated the marina and said that she felt fully justified in her decision, as the municipality of Kos built the most modern marina in Greece. She also referred to the quality of this investment that helps support tourism in our country.

The Mayor of Kos, Mr. Fakkos, thanked Mrs. Papandreou and the government for their support. He also referred to the future plans of the municipality of Kos regarding the capacity of the marina, soon expected to be adequate to host 500 boats, instead of the 250 that is hosts today.

A number of members of the Greek government were present at the opening of the marina, as well as presidents and mayors of all Greek islands, the General Manager of the National Tourist Organization of Greece, Mr. Katsiyannis, representatives of the "European Union of Municipalities with Marinas" and people from the media.

KAPODISTRIAS TRADITIONAL HOUSE OPENS AGAIN

Hotel Kapodistrias in Nafplio recently opened its doors again ready to offer its well-known hospitality.

Nafplio, one of the most ancient and historic places in Greece, built exactly below the fortress of Palamidi and Akronafplia, near the most famous and important archeological sites of the country (Mycenae, Argos, Tirins, Epidavros, Olympia) is located only 140 km from the city of Athens.

Hotel Kapodistrias is in the mainland of Nafplio, only 50 meters away from the place where Ioannis Kapodistrias, first Greek governor, was murdered.

It is an old house of the nineteenth century, which was renovated and transformed into a comfortable and luxurious hotel, due to the precious help of Nellie Pantazopoulou, who tried to maintain its old style.

The hotel has eleven rooms, a bar and an atrium. All the rooms have television sets, a telephone, air-conditioning, a private bathroom and wonderful view. Finally, room service is among the luxuries that are offered.

INCREASED PROFITS FOR VIRGIN ATLANTIC IN 2001

Virgin Atlantic Airways recently announced that in the financial year that ended in April 2001 the company had a turnover of 1,52 billion pounds, as opposed to last year's 1,27 billion pounds. Furthermore, its profits increased from 40 million pounds to 45,5 million pounds.
These positive results were due to the expansion of the company's network to destinations such as Las Vegas and Delhi, to the addition of extra flights to San Francisco, Cape Town and Shanghai, and finally to an increase in the number of passengers.

Between May 2000 and April 2001 Virgin Atlantic transferred 4,4 million passengers, while the previous year the number of passengers did not exceed 3,9 million.

In addition, the acquisition of new, modern Boeing and Airbus aircrafts, as well as the airline's continuous efforts to offer top-quality services have contributed immensely to the development of Virgin Atlantic.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, made enthusiastic comments on this data of the airline and its subsidiaries. He said that in the past year market conditions were quite adversary, due to increased competition, high fuel prices, and mainly the slow-down of American economy in the last term of the year. However, business for Virgin Atlantic was profitable due to the fact that their flights were fully booked.

He also stressed the fact that profits would not have been so great without the support of the passengers and the airline's suppliers.
Its success was confirmed by the reception of the award for Most Prestigious Airline for 2001.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the largest airlines in the world with a fleet of thirty-four aircrafts and 8.900 personnel. It was founded in 1984 and it is the second long-distance airline in Great Britain. It flies from Heathrow and Gatwick airports to twenty-one destinations all over the world. In the summer it has two flights from Athens to London every day.

PROMOTION OF ATTICA FOR 2004

By decision of the Minister of Development, Mr. Nikos Christodoulakis, a budget of 150 million drachmas is going to be used for the tourist promotion of Attica in view of the Olympic Games in 2004.

This decision was part of an overall effort to upgrade tourist services in Attica in the next few years and it entails:

-The study of a marketing plan for the three-year period 2002-2004.

-The preparation of an advertising campaign for 2002-2004.

-Advertisement programs for Athens and Attica.

In addition to the market research and tourist promotion of Attica, an overall advertising promotion of Greece to other countries will also be realized in view of the Olympic Games.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT SEMINAR BY AGTE

By reason of the various unfortunate occurrences in the field of tourism, such as the shipwrecks of Samina and Zeus, earthquakes, the fires in Samos, terrorist attacks in a hotel etc., the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises has taken the initiative to organize a media training and crisis management seminar.

The purpose of this seminar is for the trainees to acquire the skills required to use the media appropriately in case of emergency.
The seminar can be attended by businessmen and executives who are in charge of representing their companies during a crisis, as well as by the decision-makers in crisis situations.

It will take place from the 6th of December to the 8th of December 2001, and it may be repeated between December 13 and 15 if there is demand. The duration of the seminar will be twenty-seven hours, i.e. three full days.

The company that has undertaken to do it is SK Consulting, which was chosen by the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises as the most experienced in crisis management and media training issues.
It will entail simulation exercises with the use of video, designed especially for tourist businesses. Special manuals will be handed out to the participants.

The seminar will be divided into two parts:

1. Theoretical background, covering the following topics:
- A crisis management program
- Crisis management and communication
- Mass media, basic principles of crisis handling
- Decision making in crisis situations
- Dealing with the media

2. Practice based on specific, potential crisis situations with emphasis on press conferences and television debates. Videotaping will be used in this phase for the evaluation of the participants.
The practical part of the seminar is not compulsory. Trainees can choose to simply attend it without taking part in the simulation exercises.

The seminar will be hosted by "Athinais".

For more information and application forms visit the AGTE website at www.sete.gr. Applications can be sent to AGTE by the 5th of November 2001 the latest.

The cost of the seminar ranges from 70.000 drachmas (205,4 EURO) to 320.000 drachmas (939,1 EURO) plus 18% Vat, depending on the titles of the participants (students-members of A.G.T.E.), individual or group registrations, and whether trainees will only attend or fully participate in the practice phase of the seminar.

POET AGAINST STRIKE IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The Panhellenic Federation of Tourist Enterprises recently addressed a letter to the Minister of Culture, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos asking for his personal interference in the strike that is now taking place in archeological sites.

POET stated that it is saddening for such actions to take place in the middle of a difficult tourist period and that they should have been foreseen in a tourist country like Greece, especially when countries that are our competitors are lurking and the number of their visitors increases at our expense.

According to POET the consequences are not only temporarily harmful for our tourism but follow us for many years ahead. This is obvious in our negotiations with tour operators from other countries each time, as there seems to be mistrust on their part regarding the realization of the agreed programs and plans.

Fearing cancellations POET is asking for the suspension of the strike as soon as possible.

NEW HOTELS IN THESSALONIKI SAYS MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT

By decision of the Minister of Development, Mr. Nikos Christodoulakis, efforts are going to be made towards the increase and upgrading of hotels in Thessaloniki.

This way Thessaloniki is not only going to attract more visitors but also to aid in the tourist development and cultural upgrading of the wider Northern Greece area and the Balkan countries, especially in view of the Session of the European Union, that is going to be realized in Thessaloniki in 2004, and of the International Exhibition EXPO.

ON-LINE SHOPPING AND ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS ABOARD LAUDA AIR

Lauda Air, of Austrian Airlines Group, in an effort to extend its entertainment program called "Lauda's Flying Wonder World" now offers to passengers of transatlantic flights aboard Boeing 777 on-line shopping and the opportunity to use the latest in communication systems.

Passengers are able to do on-line shopping with the use of a computer placed by their seat. All they have to do is "surf" on the program, select the products of their choice and put them in the electronic "basket", fill in a form with their personal data and put their credit cards through a special scanner placed on the telephone by their seat. Orders will be delivered within a few days at the selected address.
This on-line shop of Lauda Air was realized with the collaboration of the British company "Flightstore" and the well known "Gadget Shop" that guarantees the quality and the variety of the products.

As regards communication systems, passengers are now able not only to make satellite phone calls from their seats but also to send electronic messages and use their e-mail service and a fax machine. Messages up to one hundred words cost 1,95 US dollars and are automatically paid for by the passengers' credit cards.

TWO BENETEAU, FIRST 47,7 VERNICOS YACHTS IN THE 38TH AEGEAN RALLY

VERNICOS YACHTS, the company that represents the most famous French shipyard in Greece, took part in the 38th Aegean rally that lasted from the 13th to the 23rd of July 2001, with two Beneteau, First 47,7 boats.

The boats, which were named after the islands of Chios and Skiathos, were chartered in Australia, after they had been selected as the most appropriate for chartering in the Greek market. The captain of CHIOS was G. Girdis and the captain of SKIATHOS was B. Psaltis, both Greek-Australian.

Although the two boats are cruisers and do not have the necessary racing equipment, SKIATHOS came in fifth in its category and eleventh in the general classification and CHIOS took sixth place in its category and twelfth in the general classification.

The racing cruising line FIRST by BENETEAU offers continuously developing unique models, which are distinguished for their modern design, their speed and their performance. It is noteworthy that they have taken first place in many international sailing races.

The technical specifications of BENETEAU FIRST 47,7 are:
Design: Bruce Farr
Total length: 14,50m
Maximum width: 4,50m
Displacement: 13 tons
Draught: 2,40m
Full sail: 118m2
Engine: 85hp

FOUNDATIONS WERE LAID FOR NEW GOLF COURSE IN CRETE

The new golf course under construction in Crete constitutes one of the most significant works of the tourist infrastructure on the island, as it will be the biggest and most modern golf course not only in Crete but also in the entire country.

It is being built in Hersonissos, only 20 km from Heraklion airport, by ERGOKAT SA and it is expected to open in spring 2003.

It will be a Desert Golf, i.e. on a semi-mountainous area, and it will extend over 720.000m2. It has been designed following the international specifications of PGA-Golf Management, so as to be suitable for international golf tournaments. It will have 18 holes, a driving range for 38 players and a modern golf Academy with greens, especially for practicing.

Mr. Michael Vranas, president of the Board of Directors of CRETAN GOLF SA, said at the foundation ceremony that golf is one of the most essential elements of the tourist infrastructure of a country, as it is no more a sport for the wealthy.

Mr. Vranas also said that apart from the numerous golf courses in developed Mediterranean countries, such as Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, countries that are under development, like Turkey, Egypt, and Tunis have their share of high-standard golf courses, with 10, 8 and 6 respectively.

Finally, the president of CRETAN GOLF SA said that the new course in Hersonissos is expected to be a starting point for the construction of another 8 golf courses that are needed in Crete.

MORE GNTO INSPECTIONS THIS SUMMER

Following the order of the president of GNTO, Mr. Eugene Giannakopoulos, inspections of tourist enterprises, as well as ports, airports, nightclubs etc., were doubled throughout the country starting in June.

According to GNTO data:

* 377 hotels were inspected in June, instead of the 133 that had been inspected in May. 108 of them were found to be operating at a satisfactory level. Improvements were suggested to 109 hotels, sanctions were applied to 20 hotels, recommendations were made to another 10 and 36 of them were supplied with the special GNTO sign. By comparison, in May only 36 hotels were judged as satisfactory, while improvements were suggested to 66 hotels. Only 12 received the GNTO sign and 3 were relegated to a lower category.

* As regards travel agencies, out of the 77 that were inspected only 40 operated satisfactorily. Sanctions were applied to 2 agencies, improvements were suggested to 6 and only 2 renewed their GNTO sign. However, only 7 agencies had been inspected in May.

* 60 rent-a-car offices were inspected in June, as opposed to 23 in May and 30 of them were found to be working at a high level. Recommendations for improvement were made to the remaining 30 offices.

* 190 restaurants and entertainment places were inspected in collaboration with the tourist police. 22 were sued, 50 were given suggestions for improvement and 80 were judged as satisfactory. Various suggestions were made to the rest of them. The previous month only 84 had been inspected.

* Inspections were made to 16 campsites and showed that 2 were operating at satisfactory levels. Improvements were suggested to 6, sanctions were applied to 3 and only 4 of them either received or renewed the GNTO sign.

* 18 tourist buses were inspected in May, when school trips take place, and almost all of them were at a good condition.

* Finally, inspections were made to 9 ships and were all approved.

CRUISE AND FERRY AWARD FOR ROYAL OLYMPIC CRUISES

Greek owner Royal Olympic Cruises and German builder Blohm and Voss beat off fierce competition to land the prestigious Cruise and Ferry award for the most significant cruise-ship new building on the 18th of July.

The award, which crowned Royal Olympic's 28-knot Olympic Voyager as the most significant new cruise vessel of the past two years for pioneering a fast cruising concept, took center stage on a glittering night at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel where industry professionals recognized initiatives in design work, safety, environment protection, technology and shipboard services.

Jane Mc Donald, the singer who found fame in the BBC Television series The Cruise onboard Celebrity Cruises Galaxy, was on hand as host to announce the forty-one finalists short listed by organizer Lloyd's List Events, for the eleven awards which were chosen by a range of judges from the International Maritime Organization, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Maritime Hotel Academy.

"DIFERENT" CRUISES ABOARD ARION

A new cruise line has already been planned that will start in May 2002 aboard cruiser "Arion" and it is expected to offer a wide variety of destinations on a weekly basis.

Arion is going to depart from the port of Piraeus every Saturday. Its first destination will be Smyrni, where there will be excursions to Pergamos or Ephesus. Its next stop will be Constantinople, from where it will depart on Monday at midnight. Its next destination will be the island of Samothraki and the ship will arrive in Thessalonica on Wednesday, where there will be a visit to Vergina. Next port will be Volos - excursion to Meteora - and then Santorini and Myconos. The ship will return to Piraeus on Saturday morning.

Arion is a luxurious cruiser and its interior has been decorated by well-known decorator Armanio Lozzi and George Potamianos, president of the company.

It has 170 cabins, a spacious restaurant, a theater, bars, video games, a cinema and other facilities, and it will offer its passengers personalized service.

It is now owned by CLASSIC INTERNA-TIONAL CRUISES/AROALIA SHIPPING and it was bought in March 1999 as "Astra 1". The safety of passengers and cruisers themselves is prevalent for a successful cruise and Arion meets all the international criteria for safety.

It is certain that Arion will attract both Greek and foreign travelers who wish to become familiar with the beauty of our country and of the "lost countries" as well.

From My Notebook - Connie Soloyanis

*Tourism to Greece in general is down this year, with vacancies everywhere, including on the popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini, and especially in Athens, with leading hotels half empty.

*Russian tourism to Greece is down by an estimated 46 percent, which the local travel trade blames on the Greek government, in this instance in the process of issuing of visas in Moscow.

*A similar situation is occurring in Peking, where government officials estimate that the flow of outgoing tourists will reach 130 million by the year 2020, but personnel at the Greek Embassy is not sufficient to deal with tourist visa requests.

*The island of Rodos has been an exception to the general downward trend of tourist arrivals in Greece this year, with a two percent increase during the first six-month period. Tourists from the United Kingdom are topping the arrivals.

*Otherwise the flow of tourist arrivals in Greece is being seriously stemmed by the high costs connected with the new Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport at Spata. Many charter flights originally scheduled for Athens have been canceled.

*Domestic airline passenger traffic has dropped dramatically, by almost 25 percent, compared with last year, in the last three months since the opening of the new airport.

*Taxi drivers in general refuse to drive to the new airport of Athens. Some demand 7,000 drachmas "extra" payment to "compensate for the long trip to Spata, and the long waiting time for a fare from the airport."

*To make things worse heavy traffic to and from the beaches of Attica has created additional havoc for those who want to get to or from the new airport of Athens, with delays of over one hour.

*Some 20,000 "official" complaints concerning taxis refusing to take passengers to the airport have been recorded since the airport opened at the end of March.

*There now seems to be an "official" designation (measure) of beachfront within Greece-some 16,000 kilometers-thanks to the government's "Keep our Beaches Clean" campaign.

*Visitors to the beaches of Attica have been voicing disappointment that the topless fashion, once rather prominent practically all over Greece, seems to have gone completely out of fashion.

*Tenders for the privatization of Mount Parnitha Casino outside Athens include one from Las Vegas, which may bring a new concept of glamour and entertainment to Athens nightlife.

*The government is now keen to sell all real estate, not only for immediate cash profit, but for development and modernization of beaches, marinas and similar projects.

*Weekend admission charges for government beaches now priced at 3,500 drachmas per person are expected to be doubled when private interests take over.

*Increasingly adult travelers are taking their children along with them. Close to one half of the U.S. adults took their offspring along with them last year (as opposed sending then to camps), according to a recent survey.

*The inroads of online service has Europeans making purchases totaling over $15 billion a year, with the United Kingdom, the leader.

Travel brochures can be confusing, especially in description of hotels. The following is a simple explanation of various descriptions:
"Exclusive" - expensive and smaller
"Deluxe" - extremely expensive and huge
"Excellent value" - cheaper than the previous hotel featured on the tour
"Medium category" - dump
"Charming" - rundown
"Warmly, relaxed hospitality" - means the staff drinks
Those that advertise "an unforgettable experience" are telling the truth.