Cretan Tourism - Some Markets Lost, Some New Garnered!

Many changes took place across the face of earth, since the globalization began to propel the world by the late 1980s. The emerging new world order had many fast growing economies and several new regional powers to be content with. New players in the world tourism were on rise too. While Greece had always been a preferred choice for holiday making, suddenly new players began to fill up this spot as well. Egypt and Turkey in particular had their tourism infrastructure upgraded and were now drawing away a substantial amount of the Greek bound tourism inflow. A majority of these drop outs hailed from the UK and Germany, two of Greece's most influential neighbors. The two aforementioned countries were dragging them away by offering leisure and fun at slashed rates. A less occupancy rate in the rooms across Crete hotels told about this unfolding saga.

However, the same trend also saw new markets emerging from the erstwhile communist states like Russia, Lithuania and Slovenia. The fall of Soviet era and the emergence of a new middle class after the initial lull had seen them sending travelers across the world. The Cypriots were also not behind and were more than willing to travel to Greece during the same period. It should be noted down that the contribution of the Cretan tourism to the nation's GDP is substantial, and it employs tens of thousands of Greeks throughout the year. Crete hotels, touring agencies, banking, maritime, airline operations and the ground support for all touring parties make up these jobs.

Figures for the period between 2002 and 2007 showed a 20% hike in the number of arrivals from Russia, an earlier non-entity in the annals of Greek tourism. The same stood at 64% for the Cypriots and 55% for the Slovenians, once again a pleasant surprise, keeping in mind their meager past contributions. However, the largest shot came from the Lithuanians, with an increase of 74%. According to the data available from the Crete hotels, the number of the UK and German arrivals, two of the largest Greek bound travelers, have slid down during the same period, but the East Europeans have balanced this slide - to some extent if not fully - by upping their interest for Greece.

It is widely known by now, that tour operators play a key role in diverting the flow of worldwide tourism. So for example, if they saw more profits, they might get some of the Greek bound flights canceled; sell cheaper holiday packages to Egypt and Turkey to see packed up flights and hotels there. Even the Middle Eastern hotels would play a key role in charting out these events, since their tour packages, though comparable to those found in Greece, would be maneuvered to favor them. A German tourist may have to pay up to 500 Euros in Crete hotels, compared to 300-400 Euros for an all-inclusive week long stay in the four star Egyptian hotels.

The role of foreign tour operators is now being debated in Greece at length and some measures may be taken to reduce their future impact. In the meanwhile though, the Cretan tourism and the Crete hotels in particular can continue basking in the background of the help extended by their East European friends.

A visit to Ronda, Malaga and Nerja, Spain

Malaga

Malaga is the capital city of the Costa del Sol, it is also one of the provinces of Andalusia, a port city and also the location for the international airport which is the largest airport in Spain.

The population of Malaga and the surrounding area is estimated at over 1,000,000 and this number swells in the summer with the influx of visitors.  Malaga is surrounded by mountains and there are two rivers, the Guadalhorce and the Guadalmedina which flow past the city into the Mediterranean.

Malaga has a wealth of history going back over 3,000 years.  It was founded by the Phoenicians and named ‘Malaka’, meaning salt, probably because of the fish which was salted by the harbour.  In the 8th century it was inhabited by the Moors and became an important trading city.  In more recent times, tourism has naturally boosted the economy.

Malaga is a very popular tourist destination, made more so in recent years, because of the number of cheap charter flights which now operate in and out of the international airport.  But it is also from here that people can reach a large part of Andalucia and may choose to stay in the famous ‘white villages’ or the historic cities of Sevilla or Granada.

There is plenty to do and see in Malaga – the Arabic Fortress, the Gibralfaro Castle from where there is a beautiful view over the city, the harbour which is one of the most important in Spain and various museums, cathedrals and churches as well as, of course, the bullring and it can also be known as the birthplace of the actor, Antonio Banderas!

Nerja

Nerja is found at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, approximately 50 km from Malaga, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Granada and the infamous Alhambra Palace and from there just another half an hour to reach the skiing regions of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Nerja is steeped in history and is well known for the primitive paintings in the Nerja Caves, which were discovered in the late 1950’s and which have now become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain.  The caves are also home to the world’s longest stalactite.  Nerja is also famous for the Balcon de Europa, ‘the balcony of Europe’.  A wonderful promenade which sits between two small coves on the edge of a towering cliff which was once the sight of a great Moorish castle. It offers magnificent views across the Mediterranean as well as numerous bars and cafes where one can sit sipping refreshments while enjoying the scenic surroundings.

Nerja has some lovely beaches which are mostly rocky coves with sharp sand and there are some good restaurants along the beaches which specialise in local fish dishes.  The old town of Nerja has small, narrow streets which are busy in the summer and the weekly market is held on a Tuesday.

Nerja is also becoming a popular destination for walkers exploring the mountainous areas of the Sierra Almijar and the Sierra Tejeda.

Nerja has a wide range of good hotels as well as many private apartments and villas to choose from where you can enjoy your holiday and the surrounding area.

Ronda

Ronda is one of the most beautiful historic towns in Andalucia and is part of the province of Malaga.   Ronda can be found approximately 50 kilometres from the coastal town of San Pedro de Alcantara along a very winding road through the mountains, the Serrania de Ronda and it is 113km from Malaga.   Ronda has a population of approximately 35,000 people and it is 739m above sea level.  The average year round temperature is 15C and has around 2700 hours of sunshine per year.

There is lots to do and see in Ronda.  It is famous for having the oldest bullring in Spain and together with the New Bridge, the Puente Nuevo, these are two of the symbols of Ronda.   The New Bridge is, in fact, over 200 years old and took more than 40 year to complete.  The masonry stones were brought up from the depths of the Tajo gorge.  The Bullring, The Plaza de Toros, is recognized as one of the oldest in Spain and one of the most monumental in design.  It took 6 years to build and opened in 1785.  The City Museum and the Bullfighting Museum are also very popular sights to visit.  The Sierra de las Nieves natural park is within the province and has the most important forest of Spanish firs.

The fair and festival of Pedro Romero is usally held at the beginning of September and is a good time of year for tourists to visit.

Ronda is a wonderful place to visit, but an even better place to stay.  There are many lovely villas, apartments or townhouses available to rent or maybe choose to stay in one of the picturesque surrounding villages such as Montejaque or Gaucin.

Why Turkey Remains Top Hotspot despite Avian Flu Fears

According to the latest reports from the tourism industry Turkey remains the number one emerging holiday hotspot despite recent cases of the human form of avian flu having been discovered in remote areas of the country.

The appeal of the country for those in search of a dream vacation destination stems from the following five key reasons: -

1)    Turkey is a vast country with a rich historical and cultural background that offers the summer holidaymaker some of the most stunningly beautiful and unspoilt beaches on the Mediterranean Sea and some of the most exciting resorts which are becoming increasingly popular with European sports stars and celebrities.

2)    The summer sunshine shines in southern Turkey from March until October giving tourists the chance to sample the delights of this inimitably interesting nation throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

3)    In the winter Turkey plays host to winter sports fans and those in need of some après ski fun in a wide range of sophisticated ski resorts where prices are far lower than in Austria, Italy or Switzerland but where the quality of facilities and amenities are on a par with those of the best European winter sport resorts.

4)    Prices for holiday accommodation to rent or even buy in Turkey are the lowest in the entire Mediterranean region and it’s possible for a family of four to rent a villa with sea views and a private pool for a tenth of the price of a similar property in Spain, Cyprus, Italy or France.  Furthermore anyone wishing to buy a holiday home in the sun will save hundreds of thousands of dollars, euros or pounds by buying property in Turkey rather than buying property on the Greek Islands or on the Spanish Costas for example.

5)    The accessibility of Turkey is improving all the time as more airlines open up more routes to and from Turkey from across Europe.  One of the most recent developments in this area is a new regular British Airways flights from the UK to Dalaman and in terms of domestic flights within Turkey they are incredibly affordable which gives the holiday maker a chance to enjoy a dual or multi location holiday in the vast nation of Turkey.

A World Gateway to Discriminating Vacation and Travel Experiences

More and more people are traveling, but vacations aren't getting any cheaper. Perhaps you've always wanted to take a trip to an exotic place but never felt you could afford it. After all, luxury resorts are usually far beyond the average family's price range, right? That's why so many people are using online services to book vacations at a bargain. The Internet has become a world gateway to discriminating vacation and travel experiences.

One popular method travelers are using to get huge discounts on their vacation packages is to join with a company that offers an ongoing membership for travel and hotel savings opportunities. The company usually has both experience in travel and direct contact with resorts around the world. You can take advantage of years of travel experience without ever leaving your home. It's like having your own travel agent on your personal computer!

Luxury Without the Expense

By creating a travel membership, you can expect to pay far less than normal rates for luxury resorts in places like Europe, Israel, Singapore, United States, and many other exotic destinations. Luxury resorts are typically four and five star resorts with beautiful decor, plenty of space, every amenity possible, and breathtaking scenery of the ocean, mountains, golf courses, and so forth.

The resorts have everything from fireplaces and fitness centers to pools and hot tubs. You can choose a destination according to the leisure activities you enjoy, such as golf, skiing, relaxing on the beach, family attractions, attending local events, and more.

You'll discover that, by using the expertise of a travel company, you can often secure a luxury resort for your holiday for less than a regular hotel!

Secure Vacation Packages for Hot Holidays

Another advantage of allowing an expert to find discount vacations for you is you can book in advance for hot holidays when rates are usually "through the roof." For instance, if you want to take a Caribbean cruise during Spring Break, you might be able to find a great deal. You can enjoy the cruise and tour the islands for only a fraction of the price.

Home Based Business in Travel

You can earn an extra income by introducing others to a luxury resort membership and savings. If you're interested in travel or always wanted to be a travel agent, you'll find this to be an exciting moneymaking opportunity. You can even recommend others via the Internet, and work at home. There are no limits!

Never spend your vacation in the same old place when you can enjoy a luxury vacation for the same price or less. Use the Web for research along with a company that is backed by years of travel experience to open your world gateway to discriminating travel and vacation experiences.

Make Sure Your Home is Safe While You're Away

It would be nice to have someone guard your house while you're away. But for most of us, we leave our house vacant when we go on vacation. Keeping your home safe is important during vacation season. Here are some tips.

1. Get a House-Sitter
This is probably the closest thing to a "home guard" that you can get! If it's in your budget, consider hiring a house-sitter. This person can take care of any pets in your home, and bring in mail and newspapers. A house-sitter can stay in your home the whole time you're gone, or just stop by once or twice a day. He or she can turn lights on and off, and turn television and radios on and off at random times.

2. Lawn
Your lawn says a lot about whether you are home or not. If it's overgrown, it signals vacancy. If possible, hire people to mow your lawn in your absence. Also, overgrown trees and shrubs can obscure windows and doors, creating hiding spaces for burglars. Before leaving on vacation, trim vegetation back and, if you're going to be gone for a while, hire someone to trim you shrubs and trees, too.

If you have children, sources recommend leaving a few toys out on the lawn. It looks like the kids are coming back out any minute! If you have a house-sitter, he or she can rearrange these toys each day, too.

3. Mail and Newspapers
Even if you don't have a full-fledged house-sitter, ask a neighbor to bring in mail and newspapers. Otherwise, call the post office and newspaper to let them know the dates you'll be gone and ask them to stop delivery during that time.

4. Your Car
An unmoving car parked in your driveway for days and days can be a "no one's home" signal to thieves. See if a friend or neighbor can move your car now and then, or even park his or her car in your driveway every so often. It looks like activity is going on, and that's the important message to convey.

5. Lighting
Motion-sensing outside lights are a good idea. Make sure they are in good working order, and that any other outdoor lighting is up and running as it should be. Indoor lighting should be in good working order, too. Consider lamp timers so that lights can go on and off at seemingly random times.

6. Timers
Timers can be used for more than just lighting. You can attach them to any electrical device, such as a TV or radio. This means the radio or television will come on and go off at various times as if someone were home.

7. Valuables
Don't leave valuables in plain view. Computers, TVs, and electronics that can be clearly seen through your windows need to be hidden (or use curtains/shades on your windows). Jewelry, cash, or anything else valuable can be placed in a safe deposit box at your bank, or you can give your valuables to a trusted family member while you're gone.

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