Turkey is clearly visible from eastern Samos, above the resort of Kerveli
Quiet and lush: Samos in brief
n Geography: Samos, the eighth-largest Greek island, is mountainous. But there is plenty of rain and spring water, making much of the island lush and green.
Kokari would normally be busy at this time of year
‘The hotels, shops and tavernas are virtually empty – it’s so sad’
The agents touring the island are impressed. Emma McKay of Ideal Travel in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, says: “If someone came knowing nothing about the refugees, they would leave knowing nothing about it.
“I’ve not sold Samos before,
but I’ll go back and sell it. I can tell people it’s not true [about the refugees].” She plans to return herself, saying: “I like the idea of a twin-centre holiday in Kokari and Pythagoria. It feels traditional. My mum and dad might come.” Sadie Goodship of Pebble Travel, Chippenham, is equally impressed. She says: “Samos is incredible. It’s
sad people aren’t coming here. “The local people have been so
lovely trying to help the refugees. But everywhere is so empty, so quiet. The hotels are virtually empty. The tavernas are empty. The shops are empty. It’s sad. It’s such a gorgeous place and just not affected [by the refugee crisis]. It’s the media that has done it.” She insists: “We haven’t seen
any refugees. I’ll go back and tell people there is nothing to be concerned about.” Sue Poundsberry of Beacon
Travel Service in Crowborough, East Sussex, agrees: “It has been such an eye-opener. We went past
the refugee holding centre; a tourist wouldn’t even know it was there.” She adds: “I haven’t sold Samos
before. Now I want to sell it as much as I can. The whole island is so beautiful and clean, it’s like they have put on a show and no one has turned up. It’s so sad.” Richard Burton of the Independent Holiday Shop, Winchester, says: “It’s so safe it’s unbelievable really – much safer than a lot of major resorts. We’ve had bombs in London, but people think everywhere else is dangerous. We all hope Samos recovers. It is people’s livelihoods [at stake].” June Allan of Travelwise in
ALL QUIET: Kokari’s tavernas have few diners. But Samos is ‘just not affected [by the refugee crisis]’, says agent Sadie Goodship
Devizes adds: “If only the press had focused on the amazing hospitality and help offered to the refugees by the people of Samos instead of the scaremongering, tourism might be functioning as usual. The people, the scenery, the food and wine are wonderful. All the accommodation, tavernas, mini-markets, shops, taxis, buses and excursions are functioning as normal – they're just waiting for people to come.” The Sunvil agents group toured Samos on June 9-12.
n Climate: The climate is so good for vines that Samian wine was revered in antiquity. The island was considered so fertile that the 5th-century BC ‘historian’ Herodotus reported: “On Samos, even the chickens produce milk.”
n Economy: Tourism is the main industry, with most of the island’s 33,000 people dependent on it. Samos appeals to hikers and cyclists in the shoulder seasons, as well as to beach lovers. Its quiet resorts draw hosts of repeat visitors from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Greece.
n Accommodation: The island offers about 20,000 beds in small hotels and self-catering venues. “We are not interested in 1,000-bed hotels,” says governor Nikos Katrakazos.
n Recent events: The island weathered the Greek financial crisis, with visitor numbers up 20% in 2014, and numbers rose again last year despite the refugee crisis. The turning point came last September when images of the body of three-year-old Syrian Alan Kurdi on a beach near Bodrum encapsulated the suffering of refugees trying to flee to Europe. His family had been trying to reach Kos. Today, up to 1,000 refugees in a centre outside Samos Town await processing.
n Website:
visit.samos.gr
23 June 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 13
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