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.

Water Theft in Messara

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The region of Messara is facing a dire water shortage, prompting a state of emergency. The Faneromeni dam, serving as the primary water source, has seen its levels plummet due to illegal water pumping, scant rainfall, and high temperatures. The Faneromeni Dam, vital for water supply and irrigation, has witnessed a staggering decline in water […]

The Benefits of Building a Brand-New Home

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There are a number of benefits to building a new home to your particular specifications and requirements that can be done with the assist of home estimating services. Many people are choosing the path of personal home development over buying an established house in Australia.  From clear advantages like customisation to suit specific requirements to […]

CrowdStrike Update Affects Flights in Grece

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A global system failure caused by an update by CrowdStrike crashed Microsoft’s operating systems. This incident caused substantial delays and cancellations for 1,390 international flights, disrupting airports and various industries worldwide. Major international airports grappled with information system failures, primarily affecting the boarding and disembarking processes. Heraklion’s “Nikos Kazantzakis” airport faced secondary issues, leading to […]

Bulgaria May Tourism: Surge in Foreign Tourists and Hotel Revenues

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Significant Increase in Hotel Revenues In May, Bulgarian hotels experienced a notable rise in revenue, reaching BGN 116 million—an impressive 32.2% increase over the same period in 2023. Foreign tourists contributed BGN 58.8 million to this total, slightly surpassing the BGN 57.1 million spent by local guests. Key Revenue Highlights: Growth in Overnight Stays The […]

Venice to Increase Tourist Tax in 2025

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Venice’s trial run with a tourist payment system aimed at reducing crowd sizes had minimal success. Introduced in April, the scheme charged daytrippers arriving on congested days a 5 euro fee. The experiment, closely monitored by other European destinations, spanned just 29 days and concludes this Sunday, prompting a review period to determine the project’s […]

Belgrade Faces Extreme Heat by 2050

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The Rising Need for Urban Green Spaces Urban green spaces play a crucial role in maintaining air quality and moderating city temperatures. In Belgrade, the massive rise in construction projects has slashed the amount of green cover, leading to increasingly harsh summer heat waves. Meteorologists predict that many parts of the Northern Hemisphere will continue […]

Festivals Impact Leisure Businesses, PASIKA Reports

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Public Events Hurting Business The Cyprus Association of Leisure Centre Owners (PASIKA) has voiced concerns over how festivals, concerts, and street parties are negatively impacting their businesses. The PASIKA Board of Directors reported that their members are experiencing financial difficulties due to numerous events being held throughout Cyprus, particularly in urban areas. They criticized these […]

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 […]