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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 Extends Deadline for 22-Airport Concession as Investor Interest Grows

The deadline to express interest in the 40-year concession of 22 regional Greek airports moved from June 30 to August…

Got an Old Mattress or Garden Waste? Here’s How to Get Rid of It in Heraklion

The Municipality of Heraklion has launched a dedicated web application for reporting bulky items and green waste.

Hersonissos to Open New Vocational High School with Tourism Studies

A new vocational high school in Hersonissos will offer tourism, business, IT and agri-food studies, helping prepare local students for…

Greece Launches the New VisitGreece.gr With AI Features and a Digital Tourism Makeover

Greece's new VisitGreece.gr officially launches with AI-powered travel planning, a companion app, and a digital museum.

Connexus Unveils ‘ConnexAI’ Suite

Can a blend of ConnexAI tools and traditional 24/7 human consultants actually change the way corporate travel is managed in…

Heraklion Upgrades Road Safety with New Smart Pedestrian Crossings

Heraklion is betting on technology to fix its traffic woes, with 27 new raised crossings and 24 smart pedestrian crossings…

Greece Has New Deadlines for Ski Resort Upgrades

In Greece, investment projects related to ski resort upgrades funded by the NextGeneration EU program now have a definitive final…

Direct Flights Link Alexandroupoli and Heraklion for the Summer Season

Seasonal air link between Alexandroupoli and Heraklion returns. Plus: New plans to connect Thrace, Lesvos, and Crete by 2027.

Rhodes Unveils Ancient Shipyards and Secret Palace Grounds Closed to the Public for 75 Years

The massive restoration integrates Hellenistic naval shipyards, monumental Roman streets, Knightly mints, and Ottoman architecture directly with the Medieval Gardens…

Police Arrested Three Taxi Drivers in Lasithi

Three taxi drivers in Lasithi were arrested after attempting to overcharge undercover Greek police officers posing as English-speaking tourists.

Crete Launches €1.9M Drone and Satellite Control Program Against Mosquitoes

Crete launches a €1.9 million high-tech mosquito eradication contract utilizing drones, satellites, and GIS mapping.

EU Finalizes Landmark Air Passenger Rights Reform After 12-Year Standby

The EU has finalized a major overhaul of air passenger rights, banning hidden fees for name changes and family seating…

Chania Tourist Police Crack Down on Illegal Beach Masseurs and Unlicensed Vendors

The Chania Tourist Police launched a targeted sweep on Crete beaches, arresting four individuals for unlicensed vending and unsanitary beach…

Police Heavy-Handedness Terrifies Children and Enrages Chania Community

Greek police face severe backlash after launching an aggressive, high-intensity traffic sweep directly outside a primary school festival in Vryses,…

F-35 Flight Simulator Lands in Heraklion’s Freedom Square

Residents and visitors in Heraklion will have the chance to try an F-35 flight simulator in Freedom Square on June…

Hersonissos Signs €560,000 Infrastructure Contract to Repair 2020 Storm Damage

Hersonissos Municipality has finally signed a €560,000 contract to fix the collapsed retaining walls and broken roads left behind by…

New Greek Law Deploys Drones to Police Public Beaches

Greece introduces drone and satellite surveillance to monitor beaches under a new omnibus bill restructuring shoreline business limits and public…

Porto Carras Opens for Summer 2026 and Bets on Wine, Food, and Space

Porto Carras Grand Resort has reopened for the 2026 season, bringing new restaurants, vineyard experiences, wellness facilities, and family-friendly activities…

Cretalive Reports Greece’s Real Estate Market Runs on Three Different Speeds as Tech-Upgrades Outpace Location

Analysis published by Cretalive reveals that the Greek real estate market remains remarkably resilient, though growth rates are fragmenting wildly…

Heraklion Mayor Says Crete Is Catching Up on Decades of Delays

At the Economist conference in Chania, Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos addressed long-standing infrastructure gaps and local government reforms needed to…