Greece emerges as the summer home for the super rich as the pandemic eases
Calling them like the song, Greece is again beckoning the world's celebrities, and uber-rich, lining up yachts for preferred ports of call, islands where they can hide away from the crowd – or show themselves off – as the COVID-19 pandemic lessens.
In a feature, the financial news agency Bloomberg noted that with international travel opening up and Greece among the first to welcome visitors who are free of the coronavirus, that people with means just can't resist coming, looking for a sweet spot of serenity or, to parade their fame in front of others and cameras.
“Greece, home to the Acropolis, the white-washed buildings of Mykonos and Santorini, and the coastal beauty of Corfu, is open again for travel – and the wealthy are traveling there like never before,” the site said.
Greece leads the Bloomberg superyacht leaderboard for the first time, with at least 194 superyachts parked off its shores as of June 25, a jump of more than 80 from May and with more, and tons more tourists, expected in July.
Film stars Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn have long made Greece a summer playground and this year are being joined by NBA legend Magic Johnson, who's been posting on social media his happiness at his visit.
Then there's Australian mogul James Packer, a lesser name to Americans but still a big shot in the stratosphere where this type live, enjoying his time along with those on the yachts of billionaires David Geffen, Abdullah al Futtaim, and Ernesto Bertarelli anchored off the coast, according to vessel data analyzed by Bloomberg.
“Greece is my favorite vacation spot; I feel really at home there. I love the culture, the people are wonderful, and the water is just so incredibly appealing,” actress Kate told Harper’s Bazaar in 2018 and now she can say it again.
Greece has fully vaccinated 37 percent of its population, far less than the 70 percent needed to further beat back the pandemic but enough to drive down cases, hospitalizations, and deaths to levels deemed safe for visitors to come.
Greece opened on May 14 to visitors who are also fully vaccinated, can show a negative PCR test, or proof they recovered from the virus, and the New Democracy government has further eased an already lenient lockdown and is reportedly set to lift it soon.
In the meantime, restaurants, bars, taverns, and archaeological sites are open, with plans to let the vaccinated have more privileges such as dining indoors and going to movies and concerts and other activities and gatherings.
The opening was too lax for some European Union leaders upset that Greece – until reversing itself a bit – said it would even accept tourists who had the dubious Russian Sputnik V vaccine and China or from just about anywhere.
Tourism is Greece's biggest revenue engine and accounts for as much as 18-20 percent of the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 169 billion euros ($200 billion) and a quarter of the jobs.
The country was 18th in the world for international tourists received from 2015-2019, according to the World Bank, accepting 30.3 million visitors on average but the numbers fell off a cliff in 2020, leading officials to try to find ways to make the country a year-round destination and cater to the super-rich.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Gerd Fahrenhorst
- 1) Greek Tourism Minister concludes meetings with luxury travel officials in New York
- 2) Golden Visa bonus for foreigners buying luxury homes at Ellinikon in Athens
- 3) Media: Curved luxury high-rise residences will anchor Hellenikon development
- 4) Media: Greece to limit crowds in popular spots and allow luxury developments
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
Yale University students visit The Εllinikon Experience Center in Greece
Surge in Covid-19 outbreak expected to peak in Greece by end of January
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Greek and Bulgarian ministers meet in Sofia over interconnectivity cooperation
Greek Deputy Culture Minister and Indian ambassador talk cooperation in film sector
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism