Greece’s Tourism Sector Contributes €28.5 Billion to GDP in 2023, Says INSETE Report

Travel

.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_link_svg_icon svg{height:18px;width:auto}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon{width:36px !important;height:36px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon:before{font-size:18px !important;top:9px !important;left:9px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m li a .essb_network_name{font-size:13px !important;font-weight:400 !important;line-height:12px !important}Rhodes Medieval Town. Photo source: Welcome RhodesTourism’s contribution to Greece’s economy reached 28.5 billion euros in 2023, accounting for 13 percent of the country’s total GDP, according to the annual INSETE report, which provides a regional analysis of inbound tourism data for the year.
The report offers insights into visits, overnight stays, and tourism receipts, along with key performance indicators.
INSETE, the research institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), revealed that while the total number of overnight stays slightly decreased, tourism receipts and average spending saw notable increases.
The regions of South Aegean (27 percent), Crete (26 percent), Attica (19 percent), Ionian Islands (10 percent), and Central Macedonia (8 percent) accounted for the highest shares of tourism receipts.
Together, South Aegean and Crete alone represented over half (53 percent) of the country’s total tourism revenue.
Visitor satisfaction remains high

One of the standout findings of the report was the high level of satisfaction among visitors to Greece, who gave an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 during the peak travel season.
Cultural experiences were particularly well-received, with scores reaching 9.3 and 9.4 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Food and drink experiences followed closely with a score of 9, while the sun-and-sea category earned ratings between 8.8 and 9.1.
According to INSETE, the strong evaluations of cultural offerings highlight Greece’s potential for further developing cultural tourism.
Additionally, positive feedback from less-tourism developed regions points to opportunities for expanding tourism geographically and extending the tourist season.
Growth in inbound tourism and receipts

Inbound tourism grew by 4 percent between 2019 and 2023, with 32.7 million travelers visiting Greece in 2023, up from 31.3 million in 2019. International arrivals rose to 36 million, marking a 6 percent increase compared to 2019. Notably, cruise arrivals surged by 26 percent during this period, reaching 3.3 million in 2023.
Tourism receipts hit a record 20.7 billion euros, including 847 million euros from cruises, which represented a 70 percent increase compared to 2019. Average spending per visit rose by 13 percent, reaching 546 euros in 2023, while spending per overnight stay increased by 14 percent to 87 euros.
Regional performance
Photo source: Incredible Crete
While regions such as South Aegean, Crete, Attica, Ionian Islands and Epirus experienced growth in receipts, others, including Central Macedonia, Peloponnese, Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, Thessaly, Western Greece, Central Greece, North Aegean and Western Macedonia.
Short-term rentals
Short-term rental demand through platforms like Airbnb also grew significantly, with a 34 percent increase in nights booked between 2019 and 2023.
The Attica region accounted for the largest share of nights spent in short-term rentals (23 percent), followed by Crete (17 percent) and the Cyclades islands (15 percent).
INSETE: Building a sustainable future for Greek tourism
In the report, INSETE General Director Elias Kikilias highlighted Greece’s strong tourism resources and the need for strategies to reduce seasonality and geographically expand tourism activities.
“By addressing seasonality and promoting lesser-known destinations, we can ensure sustainable growth that benefits residents across the country,” Kikilias said.

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Katangari goes to Town’ is a thriller without thrills

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

The Nollywood thriller ‘Katangari Goes to Town‘, directed by Reuben Reng, premiered on Prime Video on January 4. Despite its intriguing title and synopsis, the film failed to deliver the suspense and tension expected of a good thriller.Advertisement
While it has its strong points, the film’s lack of suspense and thrill, its predictable storyline, and subpar makeup make it fall short of expectations.
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SYNOPSISAdvertisement
Quirky ‘Katangari,’ a retired police inspector and legendary sleuth, is called to Abuja to investigate the murder of his international businessman cousin Chief Bello Gyang. Suspects include Bello’s family, friends, and associates, all confined in his beautiful mansion until the culprit can be identified.
THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM 
One of the standout elements of ‘Katangari Goes to Town’ is its cinematography. The visuals are impressive, capturing the beauty of the locations used, particularly during Katangari’s road trip scenes. The camera angles and movements are expertly executed, bringing out the best in every frame.Advertisement
The cast’s performance is another commendable aspect of the film. Each actor brings their character to life, making the story more engaging. Segun Arinze and Ireti Doyle deliver notable performances, with Doyle’s portrayal of a character speaking Hausa being a pleasant surprise.
The themes explored in ‘Katangari Goes to Town’ are also worth noting. The film delves into universal and relatable concepts such as revenge, love, addiction, the pursuit of wealth, betrayal, and trust. The way these issues were addressed also added depth to the story.
THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM 
The film’s most glaring shortfall is its lack of suspense and thrill, essential for a solid whodunnit. The story flows predictably, with no memorable “wow” moments. By the middle of the film, it is already obvious who the murderer is, partly because of how the character is singled out. The reasons behind the suspects’ actions and the killer’s motive aren’t compelling enough. The elements that make a good thriller weren’t fully used, leaving the film feeling flat and underwhelming.Advertisement
The makeup in the film is also subpar. Katangari’s white hair and beard look noticeably unrealistic, which is distracting. There was even a scene where he reaches to stroke his beard but hesitates, likely because he remembers it isn’t real. This detail could have been executed much better.
There were also scenes in the movie that felt unnecessary and left the viewer questioning their purpose. For instance, the birthday scene where Katangari and Mima dance mid-investigation adds no real depth to the plot. Similarly, the recurring appearance and sound of the peacock disturbing Katangari hinted at something significant, but in the end, it turned out to be meaningless.
FINAL VERDICT
‘Katangari Goes to Town’ gets a 5/10Advertisement
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Airline unveils all-Business Class suite featuring 24-inch 4K screen

Business News

Dolly Dy-Zulueta – Philstar.comJanuary 12, 2025 | 4:22pm

MANILA, Philippines — Flying can be a pleasant experience with all the onboard amenities. Depending on the aircraft used, there are different types of cabins that cater to different types of needs and preferences. 

Cathay Pacific introduced a new way to experience air travel via its Aria Suite on board the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The airline unveiled its all-new Business class, Aria Suite, together with its new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy, onboard its newly retrofitted Boeing aircraft. 

Official unveiling

This whole new cabin experience was introduced by Cathay Pacific at a special ceremony for distinguished guests, valued customers and Cathay members, members of the media and Cathay employees at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited’s (HAECO) hangar facility at Hong Kong International Airport last October 16, 2024.

At the unveiling, Cathay Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “At Cathay, we believe in moving people forward in life. This purpose goes beyond simply flying customers to their destinations; we are deeply woven into Hong Kong’s identity as a global aviation hub. To solidify our role in both the industry and the community, we’ve committed a significant investment of over HK$100 billion over the next seven years into our fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership, reflecting our confidence in Hong Kong’s long-term growth and its position as a key player in global aviation.”

She added: “As part of this evolution, we are excited to introduce new seat products over the next three years, each designed to elevate the inflight experience for our customers. First, we are launching our all-new Business and Premium Economy cabins, and a refreshed Economy cabin on our retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. This will be followed by a new world-leading First class experience onboard our 777-9s, and a brand-new flat-bed Business class product on our Airbus A330s. Through our investments in cutting-edge aircraft, innovative technology and groundbreaking facilities, we are dedicated to moving beyond expectations – in the air, on the ground and in every experience we create.”

In the highly anticipated Aria Suite, Cathay Pacific has placed customer experience at the heart of the design and conception of its new Business class. Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every detail to create a holistic and immersive experience where comfort, privacy and a sense of personal space have been completely reimagined for customers. 

A look at Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite

Enhanced privacy

The retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER is configured in a three-class layout with a total of 361 seats, comprising 45 flat-bed Business, 48 Premium Economy, and 268 Economy seats.   

In addition to retaining some of customers’ favorite features of Cathay Pacific’s existing Business class seats — such as the reverse herringbone arrangement, a generous bed and ample storage — the Aria Suite features an enhanced level of privacy with the addition of a suite door, which creates a unique space, thus giving customers the ability to work, rest and relax in true comfort.

Center-seat customers have the option to deploy the movable partition to enjoy an elevated level of privacy, or to have it open for a shared Business class experience with their travel partner.  

Cathay Pacific has also created a personal in-suite space that instills an air of relaxation from the moment customers step inside, as they can customize the ambience of their suite through the various lighting options available at the touch of a button. Alternatively, customers can just let the aircraft set the mood for them with the airline’s activity-based pre-sets.  

Likewise, the Aria Suite builds on airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment experience by providing customers with a 24-inch 4K ultra high definition screen that is the largest ever offered by the airline. Customers may pair this with their Bluetooth-enabled headphones to enjoy an even more personalized entertainment experience.  

The Aria Suite also caters to the evolving digital needs of customers, who will delight in finding that the marble-style surface side console has a built-in wireless charger, perfect for charging their smartphones and other personal devices with ease simply by placing them on the dedicated spot. Alternatively, USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets are also available to suit customers’ needs, while the large table features an integrated personal electronic device (PED) holder. 

Moreover, all-Business suite is equipped with a unique space for customers to stow their belongings safely and securely while working or relaxing during the flight. Care has at the same time been considered when the details of each cabin was thought of and designed, including the console, with a slide-away drawer, the soft-touch suede walls, the natural wool seat, the seamless bed surface, the soft leather headrest, among others.

On October 18, two days after its official unveiling, Cathay Pacific’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft debuted on its Hong Kong-Beijing route before progressively being deployed on other regional and long-haul routes.

RELATED: WATCH: Philippine Airlines Business Class flight from Manila to Seattle with Aubrey Miles

2024 Was the Hottest Year Since Measurements Began – Scientists Say It’ll Only Get Worse

Science and Health

The year 2024 was the hottest year ever since modern climate measurements began, according to reports released on Saturday by major meteorological and research organizations around the globe.
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California wildfires destroy home of Paradise fire moviemaker in tragic case of life imitating art

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.
Please enter a valid email address. Having trouble? Click here.A documentary filmmaker behind “Rebuilding Paradise” is now living the life she once documented after losing everything in the Palisades Fire.Tracy Droz Tragos found herself and her family having to quickly evacuate their home as the Pacific Palisades burned to the ground on Jan. 7. After documenting the aftermath of the 2018 Camp Fire, Droz Tragos knew you’d get stuck in gridlock if you didn’t move quickly. The family took nothing with them.”I honestly thought this was a dry run, I don’t know why,” Droz Tragos told The Hollywood Reporter. “You really don’t think it’s going to happen to you.”Droz Tragos lost everything and has since been staying in an Airbnb near her family in Santa Barbara. “An entire community, wiped off the face of the Earth,” she told the outlet. “And it’s not just your house – it’s your neighbor’s house. It’s the park you used to walk in and enjoy shade from the trees. It’s the place you got coffee. Where your kid goes to school. All of it.”CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: ‘THIS IS US’ STAR MILO VENTIMIGLIA LOSES HOME DAYS BEFORE WIFE IS SET TO GIVE BIRTH Tracy Droz Tragos lost her home in the Palisades Fire. The filmmaker is known for her work documenting the aftermath of the 2018 Camp Fire. (Getty Images)Droz Tragos is known for her documentary movie “Rebuilding Paradise.” The Ron Howard-produced film used her footage from time she spent with residents affected by the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County.The Camp Fire nearly destroyed the entire town of Paradise, California – burning 95% of the area. Since then, most of the town has been rebuilt, and thousands have returned to the city.The documentary filmmaker’s time with residents who had experienced losing everything gave her unique knowledge of what to grab during a quick evacuation.”Neighbors were like, ‘Why are you bringing toilet paper?'” Droz Tragos recalled. “And I said ‘Trust me, you may find yourself in a situation without a bathroom, and you’ll really wish you had toilet paper.'” An airtanker makes a drop on the Palisades Fire.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEMDroz Tragos lived in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, a coastal enclave to some of California’s elite. However, the filmmaker emphasized that the wealthy and famous aren’t the neighborhood’s only residents.”I know people think Pacific Palisades is fancy, but there’s a whole part of it that’s really not,” Droz Tragos told THR. “It’s multigenerational. The high school is a really cool place where my kid is able to go to school and meet people from all over.” A person walks amid the destruction left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 9. (AP/Jae C. Hong)”But it’s gone. The library’s gone, the grocery store is gone. All the touch points of the community are gone. The place where the quirky 4th of July parade happens – gone.””There’s a sign in the barbershop that is now no more, that if you’re rich you live in Beverly Hills and if you’re famous you live in Malibu and if you’re lucky you live in Pacific Palisades.”Droz Tragos has shared some of her thoughts and updates on her situation on her Instagram. The caption alongside a photo of a whiteboard reads in part, “I’ve been in survival mode – now – 48 hours after learning of the loss of our home and Chris and my home offices (our only offices). We have shifted from being in the immediate aftermath and are in a slightly different “what now” mode. All former to-do lists suddenly meaningless – replaced. We are starting brand new ones.”She also shared a photo of herself holding up a sign that reads, “You never know what you have until it’s gone. Toilet paper, for instance.” In the caption, she wrote in part, “I don’t know what to do with the sadness that comes in waves. The mug I will never see again – the clothes I have collected for special events over a lifetime which will never be replaced. A great-great grandmother’s watch. When I see photos of our Christmas Tree, my heart aches to think – it’s all just gone.”Fox News Digital reached out to Droz Tragos for additional comment.LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS A home burned as the Camp Fire moved through Paradise, California on Nov. 8, 2018. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise and quickly charred 18,000 acres, destroying dozens of homes in a matter of hours. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)The 2018 Camp Fire, which Droz Tragos documented in “Rebuilding Paradise,” will be revisited again with Jamie Lee Curtis’ “The Lost Bus.” Curtis’ Comet Pictures and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse have been working to develop the film from Lizzie Johnson’s book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire.”The Camp Fire, known as the deadliest fire in California history, destroyed over 18,000 homes and businesses, leaving 85 people dead. “The Lost Bus” will tell the story of Kevin McKay, a bus driver, and Mary Ludwig, a school teacher, who helped rescue 22 children from a school during the fast-moving wildfire.Matthew McConaughey is in negotiations to play the lead in the film, according to Deadline. However, sources claimed that deals have not been not finalized, and the film still needs the green light from a studio.Fox News Digital reached out to McConaughey’s representative for comment. Matthew McConaughey is reportedly in negotiations to play the lead in the film with Jamie Lee Curtis’ “The Lost Bus.” (John Nacion/Getty Images) An aerial view of neighborhood destruction caused by the Camp Fire on Nov. 15, 2018 in Paradise, California. Ninety-five percent of the town was destroyed by the wildfire. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe destruction in Los Angeles began Jan. 7 after the Palisades Fire started burning around 11 a.m. local time. By the end of the day, a total of three fires were leaving a path of complete destruction in the area. More fires have since ignited, prompting more evacuations throughout the community. Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of LA on Jan. 9. (Ethan Swope/AP)The multiple fires have burned for days and reduced 10,000 homes and businesses to ash, leaving 10 people dead as thousands have abandoned the Los Angeles County area.Altogether, the fires have consumed about 56 square miles (142 square kilometers) – larger than the size of San Francisco – as of Friday.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Associated Press contributed to this report.

New York-Puerto Vallarta Direct Flights Boost Tourism in Jalisco

Travel

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Alaska Airlines launched its first direct flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Puerto Vallarta on Saturday, January 11, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Jalisco‘s efforts to enhance air connectivity. The new route, operating four weekly flights on Boeing 737-900 aircraft, aims to cater to the growing demand for travel to this popular beach destination.
The inaugural flight, capable of carrying 178 passengers, was welcomed by local officials and tourism leaders. Michelle Fridman Hirsch, Secretary of Tourism for Jalisco, emphasized the economic and social benefits of the new route. “Opening new routes creates opportunities for tourism, commerce, and social development. When tourism is managed correctly, it benefits both visitors and local communities,” she said during the reception event.

The flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, adding 712 seats weekly to the New York-Puerto Vallarta route. Cryshtian Amador Lizardi, Director of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, highlighted the significance of the new connection. “This route underscores Puerto Vallarta’s appeal to U.S. tourists. With 47% of our traffic coming from the U.S., this addition strengthens our position as a top destination,” he said.
Alaska Airlines, now the fifth-largest operator at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, has steadily expanded its presence in the region. In 2024, the airline accounted for 8% of the airport’s total operations, with 1,868 flights and a 92% occupancy rate. The new route adds 1,246 additional seats weekly, further solidifying the airline’s commitment to the region.

Miguel Arreola, Alaska Airlines’ Station Manager in Puerto Vallarta, expressed enthusiasm for the new route. “This addition reflects our dedication to offering more options to our passengers and connecting more U.S. cities to Puerto Vallarta,” he said. By 2025, Alaska Airlines will connect 11 U.S. cities directly to Puerto Vallarta, reinforcing its role as a key player in promoting the destination internationally.
The event was also attended by Luis Ernesto Munguía González, Mayor of Puerto Vallarta, and Juan Enrique Suárez del Real Tostado, Secretary of Tourism for Nayarit, underscoring the collaborative efforts to boost regional tourism.

Rashmika Mandanna confirms about sustaining leg injury; pens note apologizing to filmmakers

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Rashmika Mandanna, who is already riding high on the success of Pushpa 2 – The Rule, is one of the busiest actors currently. With a slew of over five films in the pipeline, the actress has releases scheduled until 2026 and she has been busy wrapping them ever since the year kick started. However, it seems that her health played spoilt sport in the midst of the shoot schedule of three of her films which led to a delay in their shoots. The actress sustained a major leg injury and shared details about the same on social media.Rashmika Mandanna confirms about sustaining leg injury; pens note apologizing to filmmakersRashmika Mandanna drops photos from the hospitalThe actress sought medical help after she suffered leg injury while working out in the gym. Rashmika shared details about the same on social media wherein she mentioned how she would be ‘hopping’ in and out of sets, further revealing that she is unsure of when she will recover completely. She also apologized to all the teams she is currently shooting with. Along with a series of photos of her making cute expressions, Rashmika wrote, “Well… happy New Year to me I guess! ??????? Injured myself in my sacred gym shrine ???? Now I’m in “hop mode” for the next few weeks or months or god only knows, so seems like I’ll be hopping my way back to sets for Thama, Sikandar, and Kubera!”She added, “To my directors sorry for the delay…I’ll be back soon enough just making sure my legs are fit for action (or at least fit for hopping) In the meantime if you need me…I’ll be the one in the corner doing a highly advanced bunny hop workout. HOP HOP HOP…”About Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming projectsLike we reported earlier, Rashmika has several projects, out of which she is currently shooting for Salman Khan starrer Sikandar, which is slated for release during Eid this year. Apart from that, the actress is also shooting for Kubera where she will be seen alongside Dhanush and Nagarjuna and the highly-awaited Thama which is a part of the successful Dinesh Vijan – Maddock supernatural universe, co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana. Along with these, Rashmika also has the Telugu film The Girlfriend, the much-talked about historical drama Chhaava with Vicky Kaushal in the lead, in the pipeline.Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna, Ayushmann Khurrana tease fans With ‘THAMA-ke-daar’ holiday wishes, watch.also-read{border-radius:10px;background:#f2f2f2;padding:10px 15px 0}.also-read .bx-wrapper{max-width:100% !important}.also-read h2{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:5px}.also-read ul{display:flex;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box}.also-read li{position:relative;flex:0 0 33.333333%;max-width:33.333333%;padding:0 5px}.also-read .imgsnb .imaginary img{border-radius:8px}.also-read h5{margin-top:10px}.also-read h5 a{color:#000 !important;font-weight:400;line-height:15px}#also-read .bx-controls-direction{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:400px){.also-read li{width:31.10% !important}}.addformobile{display:none}@media only screen and (max-width:767px){.addformobile{display:block}} More Pages: Sikandar Box Office CollectionTags : Delay, Features, Health, Injury, Kubera, postponed, Rashmika Mandanna, Shoot, Sikandar, Social Media, ThamaBOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATESCatch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.