After nearly three years of travel disruptions and complications, many countries have abandoned most pandemic restrictions. People are traveling internationally and there is plenty of idle demand spread around the world.
Points Guy director Clint Henderson says now is the best time to book your dream vacation because he expects prices for flights to international destinations to rise dramatically due to increased demand as more countries ease restrictions on the Covid.
Tourism Min.: 6 Greek destinations among the top 10 of Europe
International tourism was expected to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, with some regions recently reaching levels closer to 80% or 90% of their 2019 arrivals. .And experts are cautiously optimistic about the continued travel recovery.
CNN Travel has singled out 23 destinations, cities and countries around the world worth visiting this year. Among them a Greek.
Poland
Poland tops the list not only for its beauty but also as a sign of “solidarity with a country that, in turn, has shown solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Western Australia
For the April 20 total solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will last around one minute, the town of Exmouth and the wider Ningaloo Peninsula are the focus of many tourists who have been planning a visit to the area for more than a year. There will be outdoor viewing platforms where viewers can safely watch the solar wonder (with protective glasses, of course), as well as musical performances, educational opportunities to learn about science and astronomy, and a three-day Dark Sky Festival.
Liverpool, England
The English port city of Liverpool, known around the world as the birthplace of the Beatles, is adding another chapter to its musical legacy.
In May, it will be the host city for Eurovision 2023, bringing an influx of thousands of flag-waving fans from across the continent. It is an opportunity for the city to recover. In June, the city will celebrate 25 years of the Liverpool Biennia l contemporary visual arts festival, as more than 30 international artists and collectives take over spaces in the city until September.
England is also marking the Year of the Coast in 2023, with food festivals and beach cleans along the country’s coastline.
Charleston, South Carolina
In 2023 the US city will open the International Museum of African American Culture, which will showcase the history of black people and their descendants. The museum is located on the shoreline of the Cooper River at the point where many Africans first set foot in North America.
Visitors in late May and early June can enjoy the world-famous Spoleto Festival featuring opera, theater, dance, musical performances and artist talks. And foodies should mark March 1-5 on the calendar for the Charleston Food and Wine Festival and sample Lowcountry favorites.
Vilnius, Lithuania
The capital of Lithuania celebrates its 700th anniversary on 25 January 2023. To mark the milestone, there is a year-long programme, including music festivals and exhibitions.
The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as are Venice and Vienna. Vilnius makes the list thanks to its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, all in a medieval rhombus design, but is best known for its Baroque architecture.
Fiji
Sparkling blue waters, extensive coral reefs and hundreds of peaceful islands: Fiji is always in the spotlight. But why go there in 2023? First, the country reopened post-Covid in late 2021, meaning visitor numbers to the South Pacific paradise have yet to fully recover.
While the country is known for its underwater beauty, take the opportunity to explore its above-ground treasures as well. The country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site is the town of Levuka, a former capital and major port, which is full of British colonial-era buildings among coconut and mango trees.
Manaus, Brazil
With the Amazon rainforest facing significant threats, two communities around Manaus, the capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state and gateway to the river, have used the pandemic to become even more environmentally friendly.
Juma Amazon Lodge , about 50 miles south of the city, is now fully powered by a new $400,000 solar plant, whose 268 twin panels float nearly 40 feet in the air (meaning no trees had to be cut down). They have also built a biogas system to increase the efficiency of organic waste treatment, reducing annual carbon emissions by eight tonnes.
Meanwhile, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, northwest of Manaus on the Rio Negro River, has opened an off-grid “advanced base” during the pandemic, which is 30 miles from the main lodge and accessible only by river.
Guests can take long jungle treks through the area that are home to jaguars, pumas and giant armadillos at one of the Amazon region’s most remote lodges, then spend the afternoon in a hammock or by the pool. For 2023, the lodge is planning overnight stays in a creekside tent for small groups.
Thessaloniki, Greece
There are many reasons to visit the second largest city in Greece, according to CNN Travel, noting that UNESCO has named it a culinary capital. In fact, it makes special reference to the renewed Modiano market.
On a popular waterfront and close to beautiful beaches and inland mountains, Thessaloniki is definitely a contender for one of the best holiday destinations in Europe. What could make it even better? “How about a shiny new subway system? All being well, November 2023 is expected to see the opening of the main line of a major infrastructure project that will finally connect the city center with its international airport. Driverless trains will take passengers through tunnels whose excavation has added to Thessaloniki’s already rich catalog of archaeological discoveries, many of which will be on display in specially designed museum stations,” reports CNN Travel.
Latest News
Developing the Blue Carbon Economy in Greece
Can Greece make money by protecting its marine environment?
EIB Appoints Greece’s Ioannis Tsakiris as New VP
Ioannis Tsakiris started the new role May 1 after spending 15 years at the European Investment Fund (EIF) and serving as Greece’s Deputy Minister for Development and Investments
Two Greek Beaches in Top 50 in the World
Both Greek beaches were on the list of the best beaches in Europe too
Eurostat: Greece 20th out of 26 European States in Hourly Average Wage
According to figures released by Eurostat, the Benelux Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of Europe’s hubs for finance, is in first place
Greek Property Renovation Surge amid Economic Constraints
This has led to a notable escalation in renovation costs, with average prices per square meter exceeding previous norms and reaching even 1,000 euros in premium locations
RRF: Additional €5.1bln Funds for Subsidies to Greece in 2025
By April 22, funds totaling 5.75 billion euros had been transferred for approved projects of the Recovery Fund to entities within and outside the general government and final recipients
OECD: Greek Economy Resilient with 2% Growth Forecast for 2024
However, the OECD highlights challenges including the need to enhance productivity and fiscal adjustment due to high debt levels.
Challenges and Delays in Greece’s Hydrocarbon Exploration
Sources disclose that the petroleum companies holding the concessions are seeking partners to jointly invest and share the costs of exploration and drilling.
Greek Beach Visitors Can Report Violations on New ‘MyCoast’ App
Greek authorities hope the newly-launched, free ‘MyCoast’ app will help clamp down on public beach violations
BoG Figures Confirm Banner Year for Greek Tourism in 2023
20.6 billion euros in related revenues topped the previous year’s figure by 16.5%