Greece: the ‘dancing queen' of 2009

Low cost airlines are increasing the number of flights to Greece in a bid to capitalise on its burgeoning popularity...

After the success of the hit film Mamma Mia in 2008 - the highest grossing film of all time at the British box office -  there can only be a small minority of people who have escaped the draw of the crystal clear waters and the archetypal white wash houses against the piercing blue skies of the Southern Mediterranean.

Well it appears that Greece hasn't escaped the attentions of the low cost and leisure airlines either, with several announcements recently to increase numbers of flights to the mainland and islands from the UK. Greece is sure to be the 'dancing queen' of 2009.

Lots of new flights

EasyJet has a number of target destinations in Greece including Santorini, home to one of nature's great wonders, the Santorini Caldera, and Corfu, made famous by Gerald Durrell in his novel 'My Family and Other Animals'. EasyJet will be flying to Santorini three times a week from London Gatwick with Manchester and Bristol adding flights to Corfu to their schedule.

It isn't just the islands which are proving popular, Monarch has announced new flights to Volos on the mainland, Greece's third city, famed for some of the best seafood in the country and a good base if one wants to visit the beautiful Sporades islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos.

The flights will jet people over from London Gatwick and Manchester every Friday between 15th May and 9th October. EasyJet too have made the addition of a twice-weekly service from Manchester to the historic capital city of Athens starting in August.

Rental boost?

The increase in passenger numbers to every corner of Greece will no doubt have a positive knock on effect to the rest of the tourism industry, which will be reflected in greater demand for hotels and rental accommodation.

It is a glorious prospect to think of bustling streets of happy holiday makers, something some resorts can only dream of in the unfortunate economic downturn.

London based Piraeus Bank UK, commented: "Greece is fortunate to have been a focus on the big screen in 2008, which I believe, has further positively profiled this diverse and beautiful country.

"Whether it has been the Mamma Mia effect or other factors leading airlines to increase flights to Greece, Easyjet's takeover of GB Airways routes for example, it is certainly bright news in what can only be described as a very grey time".

Source: www.piraeusbank.co.uk.