p10-11 News Oct23 21/10/09 18:52 Page 10
news
ttglive.com
Rhodes targets
luxury market
THE GREEK island of Rhodes, infamous for the
nightlife in Faliraki, is being promoted as a
luxury short-break destination, writes Carlie
Trotter.
The move follows a government-funded
initiative to improve hotel standards across the
island, and an increase in upmarket visitors in
the last quarter.
The Greek National Tourist Office this week
attributed the 26.4% increase in arrivals to a new
five-star image, something it said was supported
by customer feedback.
Central to this has been the development of
Under new ownership: the Paul Gaugin new properties such as Atrium Prestige Thalasso
Spa Resort. Half of the island’s 80,000 beds are
Tahitian stalwart
now categorised as luxury.
GNTO director Sofia Panagiotaki said: “The
island is still unspoilt, and has the highest
number of Blue Flag beaches in Europe.”
launched in UK
Panagiotaki said Rhodes fared well for late
bookings in June, attracting British families
holding off for all-inclusive deals.
The short-break market has also opened up,
Lee Hayhurst.
“This ship has been in Tahiti for 11 years and with easyJet flying four times a week since April.
A LUXURY cruise ship considered vital to the has been a real driving force for tourism Saltmarsh PR, which markets Rhodes in the
economy of the South Pacific island of Tahiti was revenue,” he said. UK, reported an increase in the number of
officially launched to the UK trade this week by “Anyone else who bought the ship would have enquiries this summer.
its new owners. taken it out of Tahiti, so the new owners had The strengthening of the independent sector
The 330-passenger Paul Gaugin was sold to their eyes on it prior to it going on sale.” has been put down to the development of a new
the French Polynesian resort operator Pacific Morris added: “We think there is a lot of airport terminal at Diagoras.
Beachcomber in August by Regent Seven Seas. potential in the UK, particularly in that part of Rhodes is being touted as a growing centre for
This week, David Morris, founder of the line’s the Pacific combining New Zealand or Australia. watersports and wine-tasting, as well as for its
marketing agency, David Morris International, “The ship has not really been marketed for a better known archaeological attractions.
was in London for the UK year so it’s about awareness. The positive outlook for Rhodes comes amid
launch of the new Paul
“This ship has
The response to the launch concerns about a downturn elsewhere in Greece,
Gaugin Cruises brand. particularly for Athens and Thessaloniki. The
In the UK, Paul Gaugin
been in Tahiti
so far has been incredible.”
Morris said Pacific Beach- Federation of Hellenic Tourist Enterprises does
will work with the Cruise
for 11 years and
comber could in the future not expect a widespread recovery until 2011.
Portfolio, the general sales
agent division of luxury
has been a real
look to add a second ship to
the fleet but for now the
specialist Mundy Cruises.
driving force for
focus was on re-establishing
The new owner will inte-
grate cruises with its shore-
tourism revenue”
Paul Gaugin.
The new owner will up-
based interests, including grade the spa, although Mor-
the development of an island once owned by ris said a lot of money had been spent on the ship
actor Marlon Brando, due to open in 2012. in the last 12 months by previous owner Regent.
There are also plans to offer 12 to 14-night Around 70% of the ship’s passengers are from
cruises out of Papeete taking in other South the US and it also has a following in Australia.
Pacific destinations such as Fiji, Tonga, the Cook A brochure is out soon and as well as working
Islands and even as far as New Zealand. with established luxury retailers, the Cruise Port-
Morris said these are expected to appeal to a folio plans to forge partnerships with tour oper-
more international audience than the traditional ators to include the product in their brochures.
seven-night Bora Bora cruises operated by the
ship’s previous owners. ■ Cruise news, p18 Upmarket: Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort
10 23.10.2009
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