Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

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.

Tourism Shortfall in Cyprus: A Serious Concern for 2024

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The Cyprus Hoteliers Association (PASYXE) President, Thanos Michaelides, has raised alarms about an anticipated shortfall of 30,000 tourists this season, resulting in a loss of €25 million in revenue. The need to extend the tourism season and ensure year-round hotel operations is critical. Doing so could mitigate labor market seasonality, strengthen local businesses, increase state […]

Cyprus Faces Significant Tourism Drop, Hoteliers Warn

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Cyprus Faces Significant Tourism Drop, Hoteliers Warn The Cyprus Hoteliers Association (PASYXE) foresees a challenging season ahead. President Thanos Michaelides reported on Thursday that the local tourism sector is confronting an expected loss of 30,000 tourists and a staggering €25 million in revenue. This projection underscores the pressing need for strategic measures. Key Proposals for […]

Turkish Residents Face High Rejection Rates for Schengen Visas

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Turkish citizens face substantial financial burdens due to high Schengen visa rejection rates. According to Schengen News, in 2023, only 867,545 applications from Türkiye were accepted. Last year, Turkish citizens invested around 68 million euros on approved visas. However, nearly 170,000 applications were denied, costing approximately 13 million euros in lost fees. Türkiye submitted over […]

Hvar: One of the Most Beautiful Islands in the World

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Early Discoveries and Spontaneous Adventures In 2002, I spontaneously purchased a house in Jelsa on Hvar. Unfamiliar with the island’s charm, it was only after exploring the town and seeing a map titled “One of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world” that it became clear this place was special. This stunning gem has […]

Greece Declares Tourism Crisis Amid Growing Tensions

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As 2023 brought over 7 million tourists to Athens, Greece has issued a stark warning about a mounting tourism crisis. Shop fronts in Athens now bear graffiti reading “No more tourism,” reflecting local resentment towards British visitors. This wave of upset has also spread to Spain, affecting popular destinations like Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Majorca. Local […]

Short-Term Rental Saturation Impact in Greece

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Supply Surge Hits Urban Rentals An upsurge in available short-term rental properties has notably impacted net income in Athens and Thessaloniki. This contrasts with other regions in Greece, where a favourable image of holiday destinations keeps the trend positive. Research from Key Data for the Association of Short-Term Rental Companies (STAMA) indicates a 13% increase […]

Taxi Drivers Strike in Heraklion

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Heraklion taxi owners have scheduled a work stoppage and a motorized march for tomorrow, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in the city centre. This decision was unanimously made by their Association. Their primary demand is to stop the interference in their transport services. Key Demands of the Taxi Owners The association released a statement specifying their […]

Professional Tour Guides Strike in Crete

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The professional tour guides of Crete and Santorini organized a strike today, Thursday, July 11, to oppose a proposed bill by the Ministry of Tourism. According to the tour guides, the legislation “degrades and alters the challenging nature of their profession.” Details of the Protest Support from the Labor Center of Heraklion (EKI) The Labor […]

Renewed Fleet and Infrastructure Enhancements in Attica and Thessaloniki by 2025

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By the end of 2025, Attica will receive 900-950 new buses, and Thessaloniki’s fleet will also undergo significant improvements, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras told SKAI 100.3. Combatting Fare Evasion To tackle fare evasion, the number of auditors will increase. Staikouras emphasized that the additional revenue from these audits would be reinvested to […]

This Week’s Horror Picks

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Cursed Chef and Suffocating Car Encounters This week’s selections present unsettling stories involving a cursed chef and individuals trapped in dire circumstances. The film “Property,” directed by Daniel Bandeira, employs an innovative twist on single-location horror by setting the story inside an armoured car. After Teresa, a fashion designer, faces a traumatic gunpoint incident in […]