How tourism professionals in Kythira respond to the Spiegel article

Recently, the Christiane Pilch, chief operating officer of the Attica Travel, the large travel agency based in Germany, spoke to the online version of Speigel for the return to tourist normality, making special reference to the «favorite destination» of the office's clients, which is none other than Greece.

In the article, Pilch praises the geographical topography of our country, which, with its islands, favours personalised travel to destinations that combine reasonable prices, tailor-made accommodation and authenticity. He even recommends 7 islands as dream destinations, including Kythera, birthplace of Aphrodite, which attracts nature and history lovers.

But who is this office, how long has it been active in our country and how does it «tie» the profile of its clients with a special and authentic place, such as Kythera?;

Kythera.News contacted tourism professionals on the island and asked for their opinion on their cooperation with Attika Reisen and the prospects that are opening up through it for further upgrading the tourist footprint of Kythera.

P. Drakakis: Large office, our cooperation at an early stage

«The office is large, its clientele is guaranteed,» explains Panos Drakakis, owner of “DRAKAKIS TOURS” and of “DRAKAKIS RENT A CAR”. «I approached them during one of my trips to exhibitions abroad, but I got the green light for their activities in Kythera from the director of the Athens office«, he continues.

They know what they want, the coronavirus is a problem.

«The people who travel through Attika Reisen, know what they want. They are interested in holiday packages, which include car rental, something I can ensure them as a professional», continues Mr. Drakakis. We are talking about people who engage in a wide range of activities on their holidays and have the crossbow to support them», he adds. «Of course, this project is only in its second year of life in Kythera, with the first being marked by the cyclone of covid and the immediate future is characterised by uncertainty», adds Mr Drakakis.

Vanessa Raikou: The «personalized» coat, suitable for Kythera

The personalized dimension in the style of holidays proposed by the office, is in line with the temperament of Kythera, stresses the Vanessa Raikou, owner of the hotel El Sol, in Kapsali. «Personally, I don't work with groups, which is in line with the profile of Attika Reisen's clients. They focus on small groups, who ask for longer holidays, which is in my professional interest, as it keeps the prices at a reasonable level. At the same time, of course, they work a lot with contracts allotment, i.e. they reserve, through pre-booking, a certain number of rooms for a specific period at low prices. This may seem at first sight to be in my interest, however. builds a relationship of trust over time, and given that most of their customers are over 50 years old and travel mainly in May - June and September, you've extended the season and potentially gained a loyal clientele. In addition, through the stop sales at the peak of the season, you will always have the opportunity to renegotiate some room rates in August.»

Vanessa seems to believe in the Attika Reisen project. «The key,» she says, «is to stick to what was agreed. When this is put into practice, everyone enjoys their role. Them, the sun all day and me observing how much it makes them happy (laughs).

George Kasimatis: «September is near»

Can the scraper coronavirus to make his own plans on the plans of men, but what is certain is that this time we will not miss the ship of the line and we will find Kythera. Even if we have to wait until September. This is the distillation of the thought of George Kasimatis, owner of the hotel Kythera Irida, in Saint Pelagia.

«Besides, let's not forget that the Spiegel article is in fact the best advertisement for a place with small accommodations, such as Kythera, which will be offered for covid-free getaways in the coming period», he stresses. «And if the bad past years leave no room for triumphalism, September 2021 is just around the corner,» George reckons. «By then,» he continues, «the vaccination programme will have progressed in Greece and Germany and tourist flows will have been re-opened. It's not too late, the weather is still good on the island, I would even say it's ideal for what the clients of this agency are looking for. Who, for the most part, are avoiding the heat and declaring themselves nature lovers.  They are looking for hiking tourism and in the autumn season Kythera offers the ideal conditions to discover the special enclaves of the island. And to combine them with individual activities, which may involve flavours, history and anthropogeography,» he adds.

In the middle of winter, you finally discover in yourself the brightest summer

On the eve of the opening of tourism in the country, everything is covered by a veil of ambiguity. A pall of uncertainty, hovering, like a Sword of Damocles, over the heads of the professionals in the sector. However, the raw material is here. And signs with the guarantee of the Kythera brand the next day. Which will be difficult but is «doomed» to succeed. After all, when both want it - and when they both know what they want - all obstacles are overcome. And when you know what you want, that means precise targeting. And in Kythera, tourism professionals know the goal and approach it with the appropriate strategy.

The Attika Reisen project had a cautious beginning. But a beginning that is entirely relational. And in the cause and effect equation, the only component is the coronavirus. When he is gone, the project will succeed. And it will bring other projects along for the benefit of all. Besides, Kythera - and its people - will always be here. And here, forever, will be the needs of those who seek them.