Greece’s Tourism Paradox: Revenue Falls Despite Increase in Arrivals

Travel

Tourists queue for Santorini sunset. Credit: Greek ReporterGreece saw a small drop in tourism revenue in August 2024, even though more tourists visited the country compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the Bank of Greece.
Tourism revenue saw a revenue decline of 1.8 percent compared to the same month last year, despite a 6.6 percent rise in arrivals. According to data from the Bank of Greece, in August 2024, revenues were 78.6 million euros lower than in August of 2023. This decrease occurred even though the number of non-resident travelers increased by 6.6 percent.
Tourism revenue in Greece has continued to fall, marking the second consecutive month of decline. Tourism receipts posted a 4.2 percent decline in July from the same month last year, even though arrivals increased by 4.1 percent year-on-year.

Concern over tourism revenue drop in Greece
This trend has led to concerns within the domestic tourism industry, and there is debate about whether it is a global issue or specific to Greece.
A recent report by the the National Bank concluded that tourism revenue has been underestimated. The report cites a number of reasons for this shortfall, and particularly the expansion of short-term rentals and the intense seasonality of Greek tourism.

The border survey, which provided the data for the travel balance, may not accurately capture tourism expenditure that deviates from the norm. For example, respondents staying in short-term rentals may underestimate their spending on food. Intense seasonality, moreover, makes research difficult, as a very large number of tourists arrive in a short period of time.
Other tourism experts attribute the reported decline in revenue to several factors, including, first of all, the fact that tourists spend less on non-hotel-related expenses as noted by restaurant owners in tourist areas.
Furthermore, short-term rental properties, such as Airbnbs, are becoming increasingly more popular where total spending is considerably lower compared to hotels.

The changing spending habits of tourists are also impacting revenues. Tourists are more cautious with their spending this year, which is most likely linked to the economic situation in their home country.
Finally, higher airfare prices reduce the amount left in tourists’ budgets for accommodation and dining, as experts from the tourism sector note.
Year-to-year tourism revenue
However, for the eight months from January to August, overall travel revenues reached 15.179 billion euros, up from 14.703 billion euros during the same period in 2023, marking a 3.23 percent increase.
To maintain year-over-year parity in tourism revenues, the remaining months of the year would need to experience a revenue drop of more than 476.1 million euros, which is the current year-to-year difference for the first eight months. This would mean an 8.22 percent decline if compared with last year’s September to December revenue.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stated recently that the projection for the entire year is for total revenues of €22 billion from tourism, comfortably beating last year’s all-time high takings of €20.6 billion.

Related: Revenue from Summer Tourism in Greece Diminished Due to Wildfires

Dangerous Incident Rocks College Football as Junior QB Suffers Catastrophic Fate in Louisiana Tech Game

Technology

Violent collisions happen in football sometimes and Tuesday’s game between Louisiana Tech and UTEP witnessed one such incident. To add to the misery of a 1-6 season, the Miners got on the road only to face another grim scenario of watching their quarterback suffer one of the hardest hits this season. In their Week 9 Conference USA matchup at Joe Aillet Stadium, Skyler Locklear was violently knocked down in what is “a personal foul roughing the passer with targeting.” As College Football Alerts captioned on X on October 23, Louisiana Tech LB Zach Zimos hitting the UTEP junior QB is “one of the dirtiest hits you’ll ever see in a game.”ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below this adIt happened at the end of the third quarter during a 2nd & 9 attempt from their 21-yard line. Trying to avoid the tacklers on the sides, Locklear heaved the football through the middle of the pocket. As the ball left his hand, Zimos appeared and knocked the QB from under the chin with his head sending him flying backwards on the ground in what is a scary moment for the viewers.  ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below this adThankfully, Locklear was able to get up and walk to the sidelines on his own. His pass was a 15-yard completion to Kam Thomas. Following the hit, Zimos was ejected for targeting with a 15-yard penalty. After Locklear left the game, freshman JP Pickles filled in to record 12 rushes for 53 yards. But in the end, Louisiana Tech still took the crown.Louisiana Tech hands UTEP a huge blowLouisiana Tech entered as the favorite to win and they delivered the expectations as they defeated UTEP in an intense 14-10 win. But the Bulldogs only picked up pace in the fourth quarter after the 1-yard TD by RB Amani Givens. While Tru Edwards and the receiver room’s play was okay, they also suffered in the running game as they recorded only seven rushing yards on 30 attempts. UTEP fared even worse. ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below this adWith less than two minutes remaining, UTEP missed their comeback chance when Pickles’ pass to WR Kenny Odom was ruled incomplete. The Miners also suffered from multiple turnovers but the last also saw UTEP document the third straight 100-yard rush game with Jevon Jackson carrying 22 times for 112 yards. With this loss, they’re officially eliminated from bowl eligibility. As for LA Tech, who are 3-4 (2-2 CUSA), they still have a chance to turn their fate around with their next challenge against Sam Houston in Huntsville.

Maharashtra Proposes Lower Passing Marks from 35 to 20 for Class 10 Math and Science to Prevent Student Dropouts

Science and Health

Mumbai, October 23: The Maharashtra State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has proposed lowering the passing marks for mathematics and science from 35 to 20 in Class 10 under the new State Curriculum Framework-School Education (SCF-SE). Students passing with these lower marks will receive a certificate remark indicating they cannot pursue higher education courses requiring math or science knowledge, but they will face no restrictions for other higher education options.
Officials state that the proposal to lower passing marks for mathematics and science in Class 10 is still in the early stages and will be finalised as the SCF-SE is rolled out in a few years. However, it has already garnered positive feedback from academics and teachers, who recognize the stress many students face regarding math. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Shiv Sena Releases 1st List of 45 Candidates; Fields CM Eknath Shinde From Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Shambhurak Desai From Patan, Check Full List.
The state government has introduced two options for students who score between 20 and 34 marks in mathematics and science. Under this framework, students who achieve a score above 20 but below 35 will receive a passing grade; however, their marksheet will include a remark indicating their score does not meet the traditional passing criteria. This remark serves as a cautionary note for future educational pursuits, particularly for those considering higher education courses that require a solid foundation in mathematics or science. BYJU’s Net Worth Is Zero: Founder and CEO Byju Raveendran Says His Edtech Firm Once Valued USD 22 Billion, Now Has ‘Zero’ Net Worth.
Alternatively, students who are not satisfied with this outcome have the option to reappear for the examination. By choosing to retake the exam and achieving a score of 35 or higher, they can bypass the remark on their mark sheet and secure a conventional passing status.
The move is particularly aimed at supporting students interested in pursuing humanities and arts, who may otherwise be at risk of dropping out if they fail in Class 10. By implementing this policy, the government hopes to alleviate the pressure students often feel regarding mathematics, allowing them to pursue their academic goals with greater confidence and without the fear of losing their educational journey. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2024 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

Business News | German National Tourist Board Intensifies Efforts to Attract Indian Travellers

Travel

New Delhi [India], October 23 (ANI): The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is intensifying its efforts to tap into the rapidly growing Indian outbound travel market, unveiling strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with Indian travellers and the tourism industry. According to GNTB, during a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, GNTB CEO Petra Hedorfer discussed the organization’s plans to build on the strong foundation of nearly two decades of engagement in India, highlighting the expansion of market-specific activities and collaborative programs with the German travel industry.Also Read | Maharashtra Proposes Lower Passing Marks from 35 to 20 for Class 10 Math and Science to Prevent Student Dropouts.Hedorfer said, “We have been working the Indian market with a sales agency for two decades. In 2015, we initiated an India pool for the first time, which has been extremely successful in supporting the activities of German partners in India. The number of overnight stays by Indian guests in Germany rose by almost 40 per cent from 693,000 to 962,000 by 2019.” He added, “With a new edition of the India Pool and market-specific activities, we are building bridges between the demand from Indian travellers and the tourism offering in Germany. In view of the changing conditions – especially technological developments – we are also organizing a high-profile delegation trip with top managers from the German travel industry next spring with the GNTB India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour.” Also Read | Delhi: Man Claims ‘Wife Is Transgender’, Seeks High Court’s Help For Her Medical Examination.The flow of Indian travellers to Germany has been on a steady upward trajectory, with a notable increase even after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Indian visitors accounted for 826,000 overnight stays in hotels and guesthouses, marking a 33 per cent rise compared to the previous year. This swift recovery rate of 86 per cent places the Indian market as the fastest-recovering Asian country in terms of German tourism.Looking ahead, forecasts by Tourism Economics project that Indian travellers will generate 1.6 million overnight stays annually in Germany by the end of the decade. The market also holds considerable economic potential, as IPK International estimates that Indian tourists spent approximately 900 million euros in Germany in 2023.As part of its expanded initiatives, the GNTB will host the “India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour” from May 4 to 9, 2025. This delegation trip will bring together CEOs from Germany’s travel sector with innovative Indian tech and travel companies in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. The GNTB is also launching targeted campaigns to cater to specific segments of the Indian market. The “Live like a local” project invites Indian influencers to explore German regions’ local customs and traditions, sharing authentic experiences with their followers. The initiative includes an interactive travel guide tailored to users’ preferences, tapping into the high digital engagement of Indian tourists.Additionally, Germany’s scenic venues are being promoted for Indian wedding events, with a dedicated campaign aimed at attracting lavishly organized celebrations to the country.In 2025, the GNTB will reintroduce the India Pool, a collaborative effort with the German travel industry, primarily composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). (ANI)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Dad and lad spend £1,000 to create ‘Britain’s spookiest’ Halloween house people travel miles to see

Travel

A Halloween-obsessed father and son have spent £1,000 transforming their home into a spooky spectacular – with families travelling from miles around to look at the spine-chilling display. Toby Whittle, 27, a customer service supervisor at Manchester Airport, and his father, Andy, 55, have transformed their semi-detached house into a Halloween spectacle every year since…

Looking for a job in tech sector in UAE? Apple is hiring

Technology

Photo: Reuters Ever thought about starting a career in the technology sector in the United ArabEmirates (UAE)? Then there’s an opportunity for you. United States (US) technology giant Apple on Wednesday, October 23, announced new vacancies to run its retail operations at four stores located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Apple is renowned for its employee-centric culture, requiring flexible schedules and strict rules for new talent to meet business needs globally. Employees are required to be flexible with their schedules, as work hours will be adjusted according to the business’s needs. Candidates interested in the jobs can apply through Apple’s career site. Multilingual ability is an added advantage. Here is the list of jobs and requirements by Apple: Creative: The ideal candidate should be passionate about education, teach small groups, contribute to an inclusive environment, demonstrate Apple values, be comfortable selling, self-motivated, multilingual, and flexible. Genius: The job necessitates strong interpersonal, problem-solving, customer focus, schedule adherence, Apple values, technical repair, time management, multilingual proficiency, and flexibility with work hours. Expert: Proficient in technology, especially Apple products, quick product learning, sales, technology solutions, customer loyalty development, and consistently delivering excellent customer experiences. Business Expert: The job requires expertise in Apple solutions, phone interaction, business facilitation, sales experience, strong communication, multilingual ability, flexibility, and commitment to Apple’s values. Operations Expert: Possess strong leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and strong organizational skills, which are essential for managing multiple stock deadlines weekly. Specialist: The individual possesses a keen interest in technology, a strong aptitude for learning new products, and a strong ability to provide exceptional customer experiences. Technical Specialist: Possess the ability to promptly assess customer support needs, provide solutions, and adapt to product changes. Business Pro: The candidate must have three years of experience in technology or business solutions, advanced consultative expertise, Apple values, excellent communication, and adaptability is needed for an inclusive environment. Apple Solution Consultant: The job requires 2+ years of experience, passion for Apple technology, ability to understand customer needs, continuous learning, outstanding customer focus, excellent communication, solid relationship-building, fluency in Arabic and English, and high ethics, values, integrity, and trust.