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Kostas Raptis

Kostas Raptis is a reporter living in Heraklion, Crete, where he covers the fast-moving world of AI and smart technology. He first discovered the island in 2016 and never quite forgot it—finally making the move in 2022. Now based in the city he once only dreamed of calling home, Kostas brings a curious eye and a human touch to the stories shaping our digital future.

Greece Launches Intensified Hospitality Labor Inspections for Summer 2026

Greece is ramping up labor inspections ahead of the 2026 tourist season, targeting unpaid overtime, undeclared work, and digital work…

Crete Greenlights Major Tourism and Road Project Plans

Crete approves major projects, including a 374-bed hotel in Lasithi, port upgrades in Palaiochora, and roadworks in Heraklion.

Ryanair Closes Thessaloniki Base and Suspends Winter Flights to Heraklion and Chania

Ryanair announces a massive reduction in Greek winter flights for 2026, closing bases in Thessaloniki and Crete due to high…

Saharan Dust Expected Across Crete Starting Saturday, May 9

Crete authorities warn of Saharan dust concentrations exceeding safety limits on May 9-10.

Greece Proposes Constitutional Reform to Shield Humanity in the Age of AI

Prime Minister Mitsotakis outlines a landmark constitutional revision to ensure AI serves human freedom and society.

Understanding the Home Buying Process as a First-Timer

Master the home buying process with our essential guide for first-time buyers.

Direct Travel Expands Avenir to Energy, Marine, and Mining Sectors

Direct Travel and ATPI expand the Avenir platform to streamline executive and workforce logistics for the global energy, marine, and…

Ascott Rebuilds its Infrastructure for the AI Era

Ascott partners with Accenture and Amadeus to pioneer Agentic Commerce, allowing AI agents to plan and book travel stays autonomously.

Amari Hosts Landmark Panhellenic Education Conference

Educators and AI experts gather in Amari, Crete, for a landmark conference on the future of digital literacy, sustainability, and…

Business Travel Braces for Impact as Geopolitical Storm Clouds Over Europe

GBTA poll reveals a sharp decline in confidence in corporate travel, as travel managers cite geopolitical instability as a top…

Is the Middle East Conflict Cooling Greece’s Tourism Heat?

Greek MP warns tourism is drifting as Middle East tensions hit bookings and raise safety concerns.

Fuel Costs Impact Aegean’s Routes and Fleet Expansion

Aegean faces a €110M surge in fuel costs, prompting fare adjustments even as it prepares for new routes to India…

Ryanair Announces New 60-Minute Bag Drop Rule

Ryanair is increasing the bag drop and airport check-in deadline to 60 minutes before departure starting November 2026.

Ierapetra Launches Rewarding New Recycling Scheme

Ierapetra launches a new recycling program in which residents can earn €1 for every 33 items they recycle at new…

Aegean Adds New Routes Amid Strategic Pivot to India

Aegean Airlines adds Casablanca, Rotterdam, Paphos, and Bari to its 2026 schedule while pushing Mumbai and Delhi flights to 2027.

Choice Hotels AI AWS Strategy Reshapes Hospitality

Choice Hotels rolls out AI across operations with AWS, aiming to automate service pricing and guest experience.

Greece Skips Biometric Checks for UK Visitors

Greece unilaterally scraps biometric scans for UK tourists to avoid airport delays, highlighting a massive lack of reciprocity for Greek…

Hersonissos Bans Noise for the Sake of Tourist Peace

Hersonissos Municipality implements a strict ban on construction and earthworks during the 2026 tourist season. See the dates, fines, and…

Heraklion Now Has Smart Pedestrian Crossings

Heraklion completes 8km of sidewalks and 27 elevated crossings, while launching 19 new solar-powered smart pedestrian crossings at school zones.

Crete Tightens Sea Border Watch

Drones, Frontex, and patrols rise in Crete. Paradise now comes with surveillance and a side of reality.