If there’s one thing everyone is looking forward to this summer, it’s vacation. Costs may be rising, but those speaking to Alpha’s camera explain that there are vacations to suit every budget. In any case, Greece seems to remain the most popular destination.

Even Greeks who work permanently on the island won’t trade their vacations on the Greek islands for any other destination.

“I’m going to beautiful Thessaloniki, then to Chalkida—I’m going to have a really great time. As for the cost, prices have definitely gone up—they’re much higher than last year and in previous years—but it’s still manageable for now.”

“I think with the kind of August we’re having here, Greece might be just as hot, but it’s more laid-back than here. The cost is definitely huge—nothing like previous years. The most important thing is that the airlines have raised prices sky-high. “Just to book a one-way ticket to Thessaloniki—since we have to fly the entire route to get to the islands—it’s 200 euros one way.”

However, there are also those who are looking forward to trips to other destinations abroad.

“I’d like to go to Portugal. It’s been two years since I last traveled, and I miss it.

“I’ll go somewhere, but I haven’t decided yet—probably to Cyprus, and possibly abroad. I don’t think the prices are prohibitive; there’s been some increase, but if you look around, you can still find good deals.”

Of course, there are also those who love spending their summer in Cyprus.

“I’m going to Ayia Napa at the end of August with my family.”

“I’m going to Ayia Napa, too. Everything is so expensive, and wages are low—they’re not going up. But we’re going to get away from it all.”

“We’re going to Ayia Napa for a week, and then a week up in the Kakopetria Mountains.”

“Cyprus, yes—flights are more expensive, and of course here in Cyprus, prices have gone up too. What can we do? We’ll go for a week this summer to relax.”

Consistent Quality

According to Christos Angelides, President of the Pan-Cyprian Association of Hotel Managers, Christos Angelides, is to ensure that the quality of service offered by hotels remains unaffected, despite the loss of reservations, which stands at around 20%.

“Everyone is making an effort—through better rates and advertising by hotels and businesses—to reverse these declines, by now offering better rates in the domestic market as well, in the hope that this will also help our fellow citizens who have not yet decided whether to go on vacation abroad.” ^{Christos Angelides, President of the Pan-Cyprian Association of Hotel Managers}

As Mr. Angelides noted, due to the increase in airfare, vacations abroad are no longer considered more economical than those in Cyprus, so domestic tourism is also expected to increase.

Watch the report by Kleio Vourkou