0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
UK tourists grow by a millionConsiderable rise in the spending per capita ratio in 2022, as revenues reached 97% of 2019’s Although total travel revenues in 2022 did not exceed those of the last full year before the pandemic, 2019, receipts from Greece’s key markets of the United Kingdom, France and Germany increased by 21.8%, 16.4% and 10% respectively compared to that year.At the same time, the average expenditure per trip among all tourists who visited the country increased last year by 9.7%.Germany, travel receipts in 2022 amounted to 3.255 billion euros, compared to €2.95 billion in 2019 – i.e. 10% higher. There were also more Germans who visited the country, totaling 4.35 million last year compared to 4.02 million in 2019 – i.e. 8.1% more.Receipts from France last year rose 16.4% on 2019 to €1.268 billion, up from €1.08 billion then. Accordingly, visitors from France increased by 14%, to 1.75 million people, from 1.54 million in 2019.However, the largest increase compared to pre-pandemic levels was recorded by travel receipts from Britain. In particular, they amounted to €3.123 billion, from €2.56 billion in 2019, while traveler numbers from Britain last year grew by 28.2% compared to 2019, to 4.485 million people, from 3.499 million.
Leap in short-stay revenuesShort-term rental industry revenues soared in Greece in 2022, with the island of Paros, Argostoli in Kefalonia, Peraia near Thessaloniki, the Athens suburb of Glyfada, Pefkohori in Halkidiki and, of course, the capital as a whole recording the largest increases.
Tainted drinks send 18 students to Patra hospitalsEighteen students have been rushed to hospitals in the city of Patra, southern Greece, in the past few days after drinking adulterated alcohol, according to authorities.Doctors informed the police about the incidents who in turn notified the local prosecutor. No details were provided about the exact content of these drinks. The prosecutor will investigate who handed alcoholic beverages to minors and whether parties are being organised in Patra ahead of the annual Carnival Parade that could pose serious health risks to underage visitors. Local authorities have also been told to conduct checks in local bars and clubs as the city is expected to welcome thousands of visitors this weekend.
Bald prison cat tattooed by gangsters A sphynx cat tattooed by Mexican prisoners has been rescued - and now needs a new home.The cat, which doesn't yet have a name, is about a year old and has spent weeks in the Mexican city of Juarez under the care of animal rescue workers after police found him in a jail, where it suffered mistreatment at the hands of a criminal gang.Gang members even tattooed the cat's furless skin.The cat's tattoos decorate both sides of its slender, grey body, and include the phrase "Made in Mexico".
Spanish farmers blame the weather and Brexit for UK salad shortagesBranch of Spain’s biggest farming group says new import rules and border controls more at fault than the weatherThe head of Spain’s largest farming association has pointed to Brexit and its impact on transportation, bureaucracy and border controls as the underlying cause of the UK salad crisis, saying there has been no major drop in production among his members.Alfonso Gálvez – who serves as general secretary of Asaja, which represents farmers in the Murcia region, said he was puzzled by media reports of weather-induced shortages.“I’ve seen these articles but I don’t understand why they’re talking about shortages here in Spain,” he said. “Things are normal here so far this season so I don’t know if it’s more a problem of UK logistics since the Brexit regulations came into effect. There’s enough produce to supply the market and the vegetable season is happening pretty normally.”While he acknowledged that rising costs had led to a drop in production for some growers – and frosts had affected some artichoke and lettuce crops – Gálvez said those issues were not serious or widespread enough to have significantly reduced market supplies.The UK shortages, he suggested, may have more to do with bureaucracy and logistics than the weather.
Led By Donkeys use traffic to paint huge Ukraine flag outside Russian embassyThe flag will serve to remind diplomats that Ukraine is an "independent state and a people with every right to self-determination".
Voter ID: What are the new voting rules and how do I get free photo ID?British voters will need to take photo ID to the polling stations in the upcoming May local elections.The government said it is introducing voter ID as a legal requirement in order to "protect the integrity of elections", despite there being little evidence of electoral fraud at UK polling stations.In May, voters will be asked to present a passport, driving licence or another form of approved photo identification at the ballot.Anyone without eligible ID can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, here or by contacting their local council.
Larry the Cat’s 12 Years as Chief MouserLast week was the 12th anniversary of the arrival of Larry the Cat to 10 Downing Street, the London residence and home office of the United Kingdom’s prime minister, where he was bestowed with the official title of “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.” He was brought to Downing Street in 2011, at the age of four, and tasked with controlling rats that had been seen at the residence. Though cats had been employed as chief mousers for centuries, Larry was the first to be given the official title. As a permanent resident, his term in office has overlapped with five prime ministers to date.