Greece Travel, One Vastly Underestimated Value
The travel industry has taken several big hits this year, and this is especially true in Europe. Greece in particular has had its share of woes with the IMF and EU issues over their economy, but for the wanting traveler this should spell deal rather than problems. Taking Greece as an example of unseen value, vacationers should perhaps be looking there for there Europe getaway.
The economy can cause many problems for local economies obviously, and this is particularly true for Greece obviously. However, despite “gloom and doom” news of strikes and that economies pitfalls, few consider the normal value of say “the Greek Isles,” let alone travel deals bases on the supply/demand curve.
Without going into an economists narrative, it should suffice to consider not only Greece’s need for tourism now, but Greek hospitality always. Face it, traveling within the US has the same pitfalls (worse even) hailing a cab in NY is often taking one’s life into his or her hands. As for comparative travel values, later on we compare Copenhagen below, with Crete. But first, a look at the Greek travel industry as a whole.
Copenhagen, beautiful - but what you see is not what you always get
A Tale of Two Professionals
Interestingly, I just got off the phone with two of Greece’s most knowledgeable travel experts and entrepreneurs, Theodore Koumelis, and his sales and marketing manager Panos Fotiadis. Aside being two of the most friendly people I have ever talked with, these seasoned travel veterans paint a far different portrait of travel to Greece than you read in most papers. Sure there are issue, any region has acute obstacles almost any time, but the value is in Greece, maybe like never before.
Koumelis is Managing Editor of the TravelDailyNews, one of the world’s leading travel publications, as well as Travel Media Applications (TMA) a cutting edge marketing and technology company. Kourmelis is dedicated to providing the information people need to make qualified decisions (in travel – Greek or otherwise), and there is a reason for his dedication (beyond the dollars and cents), Greece has always been underutilized compared to some other travel destinations. Why? The lack of this very pertinent information.
“Fam” trips like the one covered in one of TDN’s articles today is one way of accelerating and disseminate information. Educational tours and deals are a great way to inform agents about a region. This is just one strategy being applied, along with informative editorial (even by Koumelis himself) not only about Greece, but the overall travel pie. Another article there reflects what I am talking about as far as travel to Greece and the industry there’s intimate knowledge of your value as a part of Greek recovery. Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, of Bournemouth University, reflects the reality of Greece travel – rather than the sound bite you heard on TV.
Luxury on a Budget or Budget Luxury
The simple truth for Greece (anywhere actually) is that potential visitors see a very narrow window focused on Athens. He also sheds a light on Greece’s government, the proprietors, the very people of Greece who know the value of visitor dollars – more so now perhaps, than ever before. Strikes in Athens in fact, have very little to do with the Greek Isles and other destinations. And the value? Better in Greece and other parts of Eastern Europe than anywhere on the continent.
Let’s look at a comparative shall we? If you travel to Crete, and what visit would be complete without a trip to the Palace at Knossos, an all inclusive from LastMinute for 6 nights (air from London included) is under £435.00. Crete, home of the Minoans – one of the healthiest places on Earth – think about it.
By way of comparison, let’s go some place I have been – down to the hotel. If you try and book everything the same, a trip to Copenhagen, with a stay at Clarion Collection Hotel Twentyseven (more on that later) will run you £1192.74 (starting). 6 nights, Copenhagen versus Crete? You may be thinking “Copenhagen, that’s a nice place,” and it is. But, what you don’t know could mess up your little excursion. Read on.
Now, the kind of information you need about these destinations, is not all that hard to find – but seldom resident at TripAdvisor, LastMinute, or any of the booking or review sites. Why? Greece and Eastern Europe are “underutilized” as I said. Here is the website of the Knossos Royal Village – as a for instance – much can be gleaned, but I will tell you Hotel 27 in Copenhagen (room image left) is a dive comparatively. In old southern terms – “you cannot cuss a cat in a typical Copenhagen accommodation.” Then there are the prices for everything else, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Knossos Royal Village is a true five star hotel, 27 is lucky to have a star at all – except for Denmark’s friendly people – the hotel 27 itself sits above what you might classify as “biker bars.” And, I am not kidding (sorry guys, you know it’s true). As for Knossos? The image below pretty much tells the tale for your dream getaway, at least the hotel aspect.
As suggested, 5 star luxury versus a closet with no view
Hotel 27 has an updated website here too, and a very good photographer was employed – but just wonder why all the images are in “pieces” will you? The room image (at upper left) was basically taken from inside the bathroom – walk outside an marvel at 100 years of covered over paint on the walls and rails. Enough illustrated there.
You begin to see the real problem with travel, but you already know some of this. For Koumelis’ part, these are the kinds of values companies like his have tried to relate, and they try to negate the mis-information as best they can too. A picture is worth a thousand words though, so look at the the other images and decide a real deal when you see one.
Uninhibited, one way to describe Crete
A Pig In A Travel Poke
Taking a look at what your money buys, besides the breathtaking beauty of Crete’s beaches and mountains, beer to lunch, Crete is a steal compared with Copenhagen. We could scarcely escape €100 for lunch at some of Copenhagen’s best canal side cafes, and dinner? Forget about the $60 something listed here. With the euro down to the dollar, a look at this list reveals more value still with regard to living it up in Crete.
Don’t get me wrong, Copenhagen is wonderful, the people so friendly, and nearly everyone speaks 4 or 5 languages. The comparative is for the sake of the argument, and maybe your next trip. It is not our job to sell you on Crete or Greece, we leave that to the experts like Theodore Koumelis and Panos Fotiadis. I can categorically say you will never meet nicer people than these, just as I can categorically say the Copenhagen beds are made of tissue paper.
But just so you know, what you see on the TV news is a pale shadow compared to what Greece and other lesser visited destinations offered but under publicized.
Like anywhere else, happiness is where you find it, but sunbathing on a beach in Crete with a $3 drink makes more sense than frigid toes in Copenhagen and a $6 dollar one – especially if you get first aid for your sunburn at a legitimate 5 star hotel and spa to boot.
The incomperable Palace at Knossos - Bronze Age beauty
About the Author
Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.
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Always,
Phil (I think therefore I am) 
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Comment by Sandrine on 14 July 2010:
Why did you choose to compare those 2 destinations, they have got nothing in common! First of all, Copenhagen is a capital city, very densely populated, with a variety of businesses and universities, whereas Crete is a mostly rural island living only on tourism and agricultural production. This makes it obvious that prices and services will be different. Do you really expect to see that kind of swimming pool as the one in the picture in a hotel in Paris for example?
In addition, an employee in a hotel in Copenhagen would be paid more than 3 time the salary of an employee in Crete. Don’t you think that should also influence the price you end up paying?
Hotel 27 is in the very center of Copenhagen (you can find similar places for half the price in other areas of the city) when the Cretan hotel you highlight is nearly 20 kms away from Heraklion and also from the Palace of Knossos.
And at last for the food… yes, as everything food is more expensive in Copenhagen than in Crete, but if you don’t want to spend too much, just buy yourself a good travel guide instead of eating in tourist traps like Nyhavn.
I have nothing against Crete (I’m going there again in less than a month actually!), but please compare what is comparable!
Comment by Froggy on 14 July 2010:
Right, Sandrine. Crete is older than Copenhagen, history rich, far more beautiful, with genuine, guest welcoming people and so on. It cannot possibly compare to Copenhagen, you are right. Crete people should be paid less, because they are villagers, yeah? Actually, everything in Eastern-South Eastern Europe should be cheap, cheap, because Denmark, and all the so-called occidental countries are so much better, is that right?
Besides, we all know, that booking a hotel in the heart of a loud city is far more important than enjoying the peace and quiet, and the genuineness of a venue near the Palace of Knossos…
And about that swimming pool, yes, I expect to see it in Paris. I have, actually. But do you have any idea how much it costs?
Comment by fingerprinz on 14 July 2010:
Wish I could agree. But I just returned from a week in Santorini. Stayed at a four star hotel priced €250 per night. That is including breakfast, and nothing more. The hotel was clean and OK – but definitely not worth the price. And when it comes to Greece hospitality, I have not found it on my trip. The hotel staff made a depressed impression, no greeting, and no smile. And if you asked for help regarding the lausy WIFI connection – which they havely promoted on booking.com and made me book the hotel – they blamed their provider, and there is nothing they can do about. No apology, no help. Despite your PR efforts, Greece will not see me again – there many other places with great value for your money.
Comment by Phil Butler on 14 July 2010:
Sandrine, I chose the two destinations basically looking at a city I have visited often, and one I always wanted to visit. A sort of logic there, call it traveler logic. As for Crete, I worked with a renown archaeologist (actually several) who know the place intimately. As for travel? We just completed research and content for one of the world’s most refined online travel guide sites – so some degree of knowledge at least as to the reality of destinations there. You would be amazed at how many places are reflected inaccurately.
Copenhagen, as you say, is a metropolitan area, all be it not as massive as you suggest. True, you can hit the budget spots and do better in many cases, even cook a chicken in your room if you want. The hotels? I looked at any number and have stayed at a great many of them. 90 percent of them have the same tendencies. Copenhagen, while beautiful for its many aspect, is a dirty place – dark – even foreboding. And this leads to the point of my article – why spend 3 times as much for diminishing returns. This is especially true if you have already visited Copenhagen – why not spend half as much and see something you have not? Estonia, comparable in all ways to the German alpine destinations like Munich etc.
The point is, an author cannot do a complete narrative comparing every destination – if you are saying Copenhagen is a better place to go than Crete? This is as subjective as what you accuse me of – which I think is diminishing a place you like – or somehow even being obtuse or stupid about urban versus rural anomalies? Which I am not – at least my professors and the average run of the mill traveler would not. But that is another issue.
The question is value and the unknown or unexperienced. 99 percent of the people flying the friendly skies never heard of some of the most fascinating places in the world – let alone the people’s dispositions – even culture. TV watching, couch potato, travel groups flock to the same places – gobble the same delicacies, and go home to believe they just got worldly – sorry but I am not totally wrong. The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen is a sweet sentiment – but compared with the wonders of the ages, an arid climate of unparalleled majesty – legends from the eons and annals of time? The Bull Dance Fresco at Knossos reveals more about human civilization than the entirety of Denmark. At least historically speaking.
So – here we are. I should have compared “Cancun” to Crete? Oh, but that is not in Europe – east or west is it? Sicily – opps not New York City. I know – Ireland! I am playing now. The article was about a traveler spending $2000 and being amazed later on to find there is somewhere else they could have gone, should have gone, to live the vacation they dreamed of. Crete, Cyprus, Estonia, the Carpathians, the Black Sea, St. Petersburg, Prague, heck I could have compared 50 values – the point is most people would never imagine such things if I had not written this.
Also, you should know, just as the Minoans owned sea trade before the Egyptians could sail a boat, we know our Internet. No one comes so adamantly to dispute unless there is a reason beyond simple discourse. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Just mentioning Hotel 27 in your comment? Well, that say something. And, 20 kms is 10 minutes. It takes ten minutes to get a waiter to notice you in Copenhagen. Just thinking out loud.
Always,
Phil
Comment by Phil Butler on 14 July 2010:
Fingerprintz, I am sorry you had a bad experience, wish I had known, I could have hooked you up better I bet. Blame booking – as I said in the article, not many travel sites actually offer good or valid suggestions. They offer what sells – popular perception and what they get the highest return on. The service, that does not sound like the Santorini I know. But then every place and time has its bad days.
As for my PR efforts, this was not a PR post lest I would have to write a disclaimer. I just want to try and offer solutions for people’s problems. Since you mentioned it though, we will be building a better online travel mousetrap – actually already helped build one in Stay.com. Greece is a wonderful place, so is Denmark, and a bazillion others.
Think about it this way. You went to Santorina (or Thera in ancient times) had a bad few days, and you are never going to Greece again. All of Greece? God forbid you travel to New York City, you would never travel to North America, let alone another major city. We have to be open, not always thinking someone is doing PR, spinning, selling – but then I understand – so many sell a bill of goods. We are all numb from it. I just showed exact numbers and possibility – period. Hotel 27 did not like that – their pictures show clean and comfortable rooms – in fact the desk clerk was nice there – he had damn well better be paying Four Seasons Prices for the Dew Drop In.
I suggest you wait about 10 months, then we will be able to show you an online experience which accurately reflects the places you might like to go – then you will see some top notch PR. All the best!
Always,
Phil
Comment by Sandrine on 15 July 2010:
Phil, I guess I haven’t expressed myself clearly. Crete is beautiful and cheap, yes. I especially recommend going to Chania to enjoy the sunset on the harbour. I never said that Crete is a bad destination compared to Copenhagen. My point was that to me, comparing those 2 places just doesn’t make sense, and I don’t understand how being negative about one place can be beneficial for the one you want to promote.
I understand that you had something like Oprah’s recent praise of Copenhagen in mind when you wrote this article. I agree that it is not the perfect destination for most because it’s more expensive than nearly all the other european capitals (the article recently published by the New York Times: 36 hours in Copenhagen reflects that pretty much – and they chose the same “trendy” hotel as you, is this silly icebar so attractive?) and from my own experience, you get to appreciate the city more when you live and work here.
If you really, really want to compare Denmark with Greece, Bornholm vs Crete would be fairer!
A few precisions:
- 20 km is not 10mn when you don’t rent a car. I travelled (and will do so again this year) with public transportation in Crete.
- I mentioned only Hotel 27 because that’s what you did in your article, despite the fact that you “have stayed at a great many of them”! If you want more space, it’s generally better to rent an appartment. “Stay Copenhagen” offers some. You would get nice bed sheets in Crown Plaza Copenhagen Towers. etc. etc.
Oh and if Copenhagen is dirty to you, you’d better avoid most of the big european cities!
Comment by Turkish Travel on 19 July 2010:
It would be interesting to know how the collapse of the Greek travel specialist Goldtrail is going to affect some hoteliers.
Goldtrail was always a budget travel company specializing in Turkey, but there are some hotels here , left high and dry as they had contracted most of their rooms to Goldtrail. I was wondering ig Greek Hoteliers would have the same problem.