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Hurun reveals that Chinese super tourists – who are increasingly looking for bespoke experiences – are on the hunt for unique, adventurous and exciting travel experiences. 7% of China’s super tourists actually have space travel in their next 3 years of travel plans.2 Most recently, 300+ Chinese paid US$96,000 each on Taobao.com for a 5-minute space adventure.
source: SCMP
Author: Buy2Greece
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LUXURY TRAVEL
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What do Chinese home buyers want?
Buy2Greece.com – Wealthy Chinese buyers are long-term property investors who buy homes with future generations in mind, says The Wall Street Journal (3 June 2014). A survey on high-net-worth Chinese by Sotheby’s International Realty revealed 93% are more likely to buy a home for their offspring – as compared to 64% in the US – and will shell out $1 million – $3 million on homes for their children and generations to come. Home value appreciation is the main factor driving affluent Chinese property investors – 99% consider ROI as crucial. Recent data from Juwai.com shows that Chinese buyers from Tier-1 cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou) prefer US and Australia, while Tier-2 cities (Chengdu, Kunming, Harbin) opt for Spain, Germany and France. According to Andrew Taylor, Co-CEO of Juwai.com, “Consumers in tier-2 cities are more adventurous than their tier-1 compatriots. They seem to be leading the charge into the furthest-flung international real-estate markets.”
source:The Wall Street Journal -
5 popular occasions when booking a cruise can yield big savings
Cruise TouristsFor travelers looking to book a significant deal on a cruise vacation, timing is everything. Cruise Critic, the world’s largest cruise website, shares five occasions when booking a cruise can yield big savings; including peak hurricane season, running from mid-August to mid-October.
“A great deal for a cruise fare can range anywhere from $50 to $100 per person, per day; sometimes even less,” explains Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “The good news is, there are a number of times each year when these deals are prevalent, making it relatively easy to secure good fares if you know when to book. Just be sure when searching for a bargain that you’re searching for value over just price alone. Find a ship that not only fits your budget, but matches your travel style, too.”
Hurricane Season: While Atlantic hurricane season typically stretches from June 1 ?? November 30, particularly good deals abound for sailings during its height (mid-August to mid-October). There are considerations to keep in mind ?? itineraries may change as ships re-navigate to avoid storms ?? but a majority of cruisers are unfazed by potential hurricane-related issues, with 73% reporting* to Cruise Critic that they would sail during hurricane season, or are already booked to this year.
A Year Out (or More): Travelers may just be setting out for this year’s summer vacation, but it’s not too soon to book next year’s cruise. As sailings are announced ?? usually a year or more out ?? cruise lines tend to offer a number of added-value promotions. This includes anything from drink packages to gratuity or airfare ?? all added costs that cruisers will usually end up paying anyway, and could save hundreds of dollars.
Last-Minute: The final payment for a cruise is usually 90 days out. At that time, cabins that have not been paid in full may be released, giving cruise lines a better idea of the occupancy that they have left to fill ?? which often means deeply discounted fares for potential cruisers. A listing of such deals can be found on Cruise Critic under Last-Minute Cruises.
Off-Season: Each destination has its own high and low seasons ?? with cruise fares following suit. By booking a cruise during a destination’s low-season, cruisers may have the option to visit their destination of choice at a much lower cost than offered during high-season ?? and without the crowds. Examples of low-seasons include Alaska in May and September, the Caribbean in late spring or winter (holiday weeks, excluded) or the Mediterranean in the fall.
Industry-Wide Sales: Two of the biggest industry-wide cruise sales are held in October and January-March. The cruise industry’s national cruise week will be held October 6-13, 2014 in North America, with cruise lines and agents offering a wide range of promotions. “Wave Season,” beginning in January, is an annual period of three months where cruise lines offer special promotions during one of the more popular times for cruise shopping to begin.
In addition to the scheduled occasions listed above, signing up for notifications from cruise lines, agents and industry sites can also highlight time-sensitive promotions offered throughout the year. Cruise Critic’s Price Drop tool allows cruisers to search for deals by specific criteria, including cruise line, destination and departure port. Cruisers can also sign up for weekly Price Drop emails to be notified of sales that meet chosen criteria. -
Cristiano Ronaldo in Mykonos
The football ace is accompanied by a few good friends while resides in the villa of Gianna Agelopoulou
The beautiful Greek Island of Mykonos chose Cristiano Ronaldo to relax and drown his sorrows after the failure of the Portuguese National team in Brazil. A few days after the exclusion from the first phase of the World Cup, the superstar… decided to vote for Greece for his summer holiday, wanting to relax and recharge for the new season ahead. So he decided tosee the beauties of the island and swim in the blue waters before returning to Madrid to start preparing with the Real.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived by airplane on the Cycladic island on Sunday the 29th of June and showed no desire for publicity, as he requested by the paparazzi on his arrivals not to be photographed. However, he was unable to escape the ubiquitous camera of Mykonos Live Tv, which they captured him several hours later, on a boat.
The football ace is accompanied by a few good friends while resides in the villa of Gianna Agelopoulou. On the third day of his stay in Mykonos, Cristiano boarded with his friends in a luxury yacht and visited the neighboring Island of Paros, while on the way back to the yacht he made a stop at the area of Rinia.
Judging from mood which he arrived in the island of the Winds the Portuguese striker, probably not going to see him wander in Matogiannia or dive in some of the cosmic beaches of Mykonos…SOURCE: http://en.protothema.gr/
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Buy2Greece-Greek Tourism Arrivals to Hit Record High in 2014
Buy2Greece.com-
Greek revenues from tourism have increased more than 25 percent during the first four months of 2014, compared to last year. Both tourist arrivals and revenues are estimated to skyrocket this year in Greece.
According to data released by the Association of Hellenic Tourism Enterprises SETE, in 2013 the average amount spent per visit was 660 euros. This year the correspondent number is expected to exceed 700 euros. Arrivals are expected to jump to 19 million, or 21,2 million including cruise visitors. SETE also stated that Greek tourism revenues are expected to rise from 12.2 billion in 2013 to 13.5 billion euros in 2014.
According to figures released by the Bank of Greece on Monday, tourist arrivals from January to April 2014 have followed an upward trend of 21.1 percent compared to the same months of 2013, exceeding 1.9 million visitors. Only in April, the number of tourists arriving in Greece increased to 728,000, namely a 30.6 percent increase compared to April 2014.
Tourism is expected to give an important boost to Greek economy since it is one of its main cash earners. This year’s revenues, from January until April 2014, have shown an amazing increase of 27.8 percent, reaching up to 900.2 million euros. More specifically, in April 411.1 million euros were earned by tourism, indicating an astonishing 35.8 percent increase compared to April 2013.
Data released by the Bank of Greece prove that the increase both in tourist arrivals and spending per trip are the reason for the tourism receipts increase.
Average spending per trip has increased by 6.2 percent compared to 2013. The biggest increase, however, is observed on Britons holidays’ giveaway, since they have spent 50.5 percent more during their visits in January-April 2014 than during the correspondent months in 2013.
The number of cruise ship visitors is expected to remain approximately the same as in 2013, since financial crisis related turmoil has led cruise companies to show a preference towards the U.S. and other travel destinations rather that Europe and the Mediterranean.
– See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/06/24/greek-tourism-arrivals-to-hit-record-high-in-2014/#sthash.adwn3it2.dpuf
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Buy2Greece.com – Distinction for AEGEAN’s Corporate Responsibility Plan at the 2014 ACCI Awards
Buy2Greece.com – AEGEAN was bestowed the Corporate Social Responsibility Award for 2014 by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) as part of the “2014 ACCI Awards” to enterprises and entrepreneurs.
AEGEAN, winner of the Best Regional Airline in Europe Award, was bestowed this particularly important distinction in recognition of its strategic decision to systematically invest in Corporate Responsibility. In this context, the company implemented again this year a series of actions aimed at highlighting Greece’s cultural heritage, developing tourism, supporting education, promoting and reinforcing sports, adopting eco-friendly practices, and supporting vulnerable groups in society.
The award ceremony was held on Monday June 23rd, at the Athens Concert Hall, before representatives of the worlds of business and politics. The awards were presented by Mr. Nikos Dendias, Minister of Development and Competitiveness, and Mr. Konstantinos Michalos, Chairman of ACCI.
Accepting the award, Mr. Theodoros Vasilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, made the following statement: “On behalf of all the people of AEGEAN, I would like to extend my warm thanks to ACCI for rewarding the company’s Corporate Responsibility plan. Now, after 15 years of efforts in a particularly competitive and – I dare say – not particularly friendly environment, AEGEAN has become a tight-knit team of people whose aim is to offer Greece air transport of which all Greeks can be proud. Using all the available means, AEGEAN supports Greek society by its unstinting contribution to culture, sports and education, and through its simultaneous and continuous social and environmental actions. Indeed, social responsibility actions have been, since the early days of the company, an important and integral part of the company’s culture, and our activity in this area has been ceaseless. Allow me to say that we would rather keep a low profile in this field. We are committed to continue, with a new impetus, to plan and implement actions and initiatives aiming at always being close to the Greek society and State. I would like to thank the Chairman and the BoD of ACCI, because this distinction gives us new strength and endurance, qualities which are always useful.”
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Buy2Greece.com – Greece is the top tourist destination for Austrians this summer
Buy2Greece.com – Greece is the top tourist destination for Austrians this summer
Greece is the most popular tourist destination among Austrians this summer, Austrian paper Der Standard wrote in its weekend edition, citing data by domestic travel groups.According to the biggest Austrian travel agency Verkehrsburo, Greece ranks first (15 percent) among the top destinations for Austrians this summer, followed by Turkey (12.7 percent), Spain (12.1 percent), Italy (7.9 percent), the United States (5.9 percent) and Croatia (3.4 percent).
Regarding bookings, Greece has recorded a double digit rise of 12.3 percent, with Croatia coming in second with a 2.4 percent increase.
More than 400,000 Austrians on average visit Greece every year.
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