The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Greece a natural destination for Indians wanting to experience Europe'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 29, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Greece a natural destination for Indians wanting to experience Europe'

Karthik Subramanian

Indians and Greeks have plenty in common — religion to mythology No experience of foreign land is complete without a gastronomical indulgence in the local flavour

CHENNAI: Tourism is all about packaging and at the recently concluded travel exhibition in the city, a Greek tourism entrepreneur came up with an irresistible package: "Greece and Mythology."

According to Magda Laiou, director of Athens-based Ace Travels: "Indians and Greeks have plenty in common — from religion to mythology."

Which is why, she argued, Greece should become a natural destination for Indians wanting to experience Europe. There are other reasons too: "It is beautiful, the people are friendly, we have great theatre — the Greek tragedies staged in open-air theatre, wonderful seafood and most importantly it is extremely affordable to holiday in Greece."

With a growing interest among the IT and ITES sectors to move their business conferences outside the country, Magda said Greece could be an ideal choice within Europe. "The number of tourists to the country has increased substantially since the Olympic Games in 2004. Last year, we had 14 million arrivals and that number is growing all the time."

Hotel rent

She drew on her own experience in Chennai to say that at least hotel rent is not as high. "I am staying at a five-star hotel here (in Chennai) for more than 200 Euros a day. Back home, that is the price you pay for a decent accommodation for four or five days.

For big groups, we can arrange packages at the rate of Rs.62,000 per person for eight days, including travel charges."

Magda has a word of advice for Indian travellers.

"No experience of foreign land is complete without a gastronomical indulgence in the local flavour. It would be best to explore Greek cuisine.

For the sake of vegetarians, let me tell you that there are more than 250 vegetarian dishes."

Magda's Ace Travels has tied up with local tourist agent World Travel Club for promotion of their Greek tourism packages.

Log on to www.greeceandmyth.com for details. Contact World Trade Club by phone at 4204 6421.

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