Greece promised ferry freedom back in 2002, but the fantasy didn’t last long. The Competition Commission has caught two companies playing gatekeeper over 60% of the country’s mid- and long-distance ferry routes. Tourists and islanders? Stuck with whatever fares and timetables are handed down by the duopoly. If you’re trying to reach one of the […]
Eastern Europe
A Record €18.8 Billion Surplus for Greece’s 2024 Travel Balance
A sharply witty breakdown of Greece’s 2024 travel balance. See who raked in millions, where tourists slept, and how cruise ships turned port towns into accidental goldmines.
First Certification Flight at Vlora Airport Landed Successfully
May 8, 2025: the first certification flight at Vlora Airport marks a milestone for Albania’s tourism and economy.
Restoration Works Begin at the Archontiki Archeological Site in Psara
Restoration and protection works began at the Archontiki archeological site on Psara Island, which includes Mycenaean settlement remains and a cemetery.
Chinese Tourists are Turning Greece Into a Top Holiday Hotspot in 2025
Some countries worry about slow tourist summers. Greece? Not lately. Thanks to a wild mix of deal-making, new airlines, and the endless Chinese appetite for temples, Greece is suddenly top of the list for Chinese tourists. By 2025, thanks to more air routes and creative government back-patting, expect beaches full of Mandarin chatter and selfie […]
Strategic Plan Finalized for GRecoISLANDS Charter
The strategic plan for the GRecoISLANDS Charter, targeting 39 Greek islands with up to 3,500 residents, is complete.
Air Albania Inaugural Landing at Vlora Airport Sparks Controversy
With the 2025 parliamentary elections heating up, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku dusted off an old favorite: the glorified demo flight. This year, their spotlight falls on Vlora Airport—a much-touted project that, if we’re being honest, still looks more like a construction zone than an international gateway. Yet, that hasn’t stopped […]
Weather Warning: Heat, Muddy Showers, and Saharan Dust Ahead
Official warning: two heatwaves with highs up to 35°C, muddy showers, and Saharan dust expected this week in Greece.
OT Forum: Big Reductions Coming for Speedboat Ferry Tickets
Vasilis Kikilias, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, unveiled significant price cuts for speedboat ferry tickets at the 5th OT Forum.
Santorini Wins Best Island in Europe at Global Traveler’s Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025
Santorini earned the title Best Island in Europe once again at the 2025 Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, organized by FXExpress Publications.
First Flight to Land at Vlora Airport on May 8
The Grand Arrival: Vlora Airport Finally Sees Its First Plane The runway at Vlora Airport is about to get its fifteen minutes of fame: the first plane should touch down on May 8, 2025. The ink might barely be dry on the certification paperwork, but officials rush to ensure the airport is open in time […]
Mykonos Pushes 15% Discounts on Luxury Airbnbs Amid Anxiety Over Falling Demand
Tourists eyeing Mykonos in summer 2025 will find 15% discounts on luxury Airbnbs, as local owners scramble to revive flagging demand.