GREECE'S REALITY WHEN IT COMES TO TOURISM THIS SUMMER

Travel dilemmas: Greece's reality 
 By CATHARINE HAMM
 Los Angeles Times Published:
Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 - 5:12 am
Q: What is the anticipated effect of the financial problems in Greece on tourists this summer?
 -M. Lowry, Los Angeles

A: That's not an easy question to answer, because negotiations over Greece's financial fate continued last week, and the outcome will determine how uncomfortable - or not - life there will be. What has happened to Greece is a bit like what happens to many of us: It borrowed too much money. But here's the infuriating part: When a new government took power in late 2009, it was discovered that there had been some creative accounting, which made the financial situation look much better than it actually was. Whether you're doing this with a country or with your spouse, it's a bad idea. Although a little spousal deception generally won't destroy your union, when a country like Greece does it, it does jeopardize a different kind of union - the European Union, of which there are 27 members and of which Greece has been a part since 1981.

 Greece has played a big role in destabilizing the union. It has tried to cut its debt by imposing austerity measures, which have led to public outrage, violent rioting and even deaths. The situation there is unhappy. But Greece needs tourist dollars now more than ever to find its way out from under lest it default on its loans.

Tourism is one of its leading industries, and that means you are apt to find bargains. "Greece is a perfect example of how, until they can show the world complete stability and control, it's going to have to generate some substantial value as a way to reel in ... vacation dollars," said Gabe Saglie, senior editor with TravelZoo, a deals site. TravelZoo recently offered an eight-night vacation package in Greece with air from New York for $1,499 a person, he said. It included two nights in Athens, three in Mykonos and three nights in Santorini, plus ferry service and breakfast. (The deal was posted Jan. 25 and may no longer be available.)

 "Is this a package that we'd see if the current situation was much different and much better? Probably not," he said. Will you get caught up in the insanity of a riot or a strike? It's possible, said Nicholas Hadgis, dean of the School of Hospitality Management at Widener University in Chester, Pa.
 "Be prepared to be patient when there are random strikes," he said. "Greece for years - even before the crisis - had random strikes." Being away from Athens also may be a good idea if you're looking to bask in the sun without the overlay of tension. Greece will need to outsmart its competition, Hadgis said, especially to attract Europeans "who just want to get away from the snow and the cold."

Greece has more than 2,000 islands and gorgeous beaches, but it also has competition from the rest of the Mediterranean - Spain also is in a terrible financial situation - for the euros of those who want to shake off the chill, so it might have further incentive to discount. Those nice, warm beaches need your cold, hard cash. So read the news, and keep your eyes peeled for bargains. In 2012, Greece very well could be the word.

TOURISTS COMING TO GREECE PLEASE READ THIS

After what seems like forever, our home country is finally out of the international headlines. What started as an interesting exposure to the international community quickly develped into massive negative press and the possibilty of Greece becoming a major contributor to a whole another world economic crisis.... Weeks, months later we are still here, some how.... the people of greece have been bloodied, bruised and most of all finacially raped by thier government and the powers of the EU...but some how like war veteranans we are still here standing, dazed and wondering whats coming next....hopefully nothing much more becasue as a people we have nothing left to contribute... I do not have to give endless examples a quick drive around the local nieghbourhood tells it all, for rent signs everywhere, businesses shuttered up and an ever increasing population of illegal refugees from the rest of the world standing on street corners with nothing to do... A pretty damn grim picture of ATHENS and its suburbs I just painted, I live here and its all true, Athens SUCKS, however the Greek islands and summer are coming a time to escape this 'Dune' of a city and go back to the real greece where every day is another in a row of glourious sunshine and sea. The islands will suffer badly this winter, no tourism and little to do for work. So when summer comes the islands need to be ready to welcome all those thousands of returning foreign toruists..... well here is where things will get sticky.... may be you will decide that a holiday in the greek islands sounds like fun and will definately be cheaper than a lot of other places ... then perhpas you will be of the mind that coming here will be a problem... riots, strikes, unhappy people, expensive... I honestly wish that I could gurantee that none of that will happen.... ITS GREECE... any thing can happen, we are proving that now.... What we need to do is have out tourist freinds return to the islands again to see for them sleves how they can help by taking a holiday and letting us show you how much better we can make it then it was in the past.

SILVER SPIRIT BECOMES 'SPIRIT OF POROS'....

Latest News:

After talks with the mayor of Poros, we will be renaming our Whitbread 60 , “Spirit of Poros Island”. The idea is to advertise the island and show it as an Ideal place for yachts to visit and stay. To start the ball rolling we will be entering the Yachting spring Series. Starting with the Hydra race in March, the Poros Race in April finishing with the Kythonos race at the end of April.

We are looking for Crew, we need 15 new crew members. These are volunteer places you pay your own expenses. The yacht will supply basic services during the race weekends only.  Starts and finishes will be in Athens, off Palio Faliron, Marina Flisvos.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR CREW PLACES AND DETAILS ABOUT POSITIONS AVAILABLE.

TEAM NEW ZEALANDS ''RULES OF THE ROAD"'

Team New Zealand's Rules Of The Road

Racing, Miscellany, Team New Zealand

An excellent set of guidelines for conducting yourself  like a professional sailor.

Rule number 1

No phones at dinner. As soon as a phone comes out the offender is fined. Fines are immediate and can be paid at the bar. Sounds old school but it really bugs me to have a get together and someone is Skyping their sister, surfing the net, or on Facebook. It’s not right!

Special permission can be granted to have a phone on the table. I think we gave permission once in France.  At the time some questioned the wisdom of allowing any exception to the “rules are rules” policy, but Burg’s wife was in labour back in New Zealand.

Rule number 2

Change the shirt or change your beer.  It never fails to amaze me how many people just don’t get it. An example from the past: How can a team member wearing the Emirates Team New Zealand shirt, proudly displaying our sponsors, including Estrella Damm, order a competing beer?  In the bottle no less!  Imagine if a director of  Estrella Damm was socialising with his/her team and seen drinking a competitors’ product. Not a good look for anyone.

Rule number 3

While we are at it, clear away the empties. As the team has matured over the years I don’t have to use this line much. Picture this: You see yachties sitting, having a good time, perhaps a bit loud, at a table littered with empty beer bottles. Now picture the same scene but the only bottles in sight are those in use. A very different perception of the same situation. Better yet, no bottles and the beer is in a glass. All Black management discovered long ago that people tended to drink less if they drink from a glass.

Rule number 4

No job is too trivial.  Wash the sails, clean the container, take out the rubbish or get lunches; doesn’t matter if you the youngest or oldest, skipper or a rookie boat builder. No matter where you are in the pecking order, you do whatever needs to done. Just get on with it, no complaining. And no festering.  Festering is where you are hanging out just…….festering.  Not getting anything done. Everyone get the jobs done and leaves.

Rule number 5

Win, by all means but make it fun. Little things like dinner together, having a beer together after sailing regardless of the day’s results or just being happy. It’s contagious, if you’re upbeat and looking forward the others will fall in line. If you’re walking depression you will drag your comrades down with you.

Life is too short not to enjoy it.