Furthering the tourist connections between Australia and Greece has been at the forefront of the Greek Community of Melbourne’s program.

“in that regard, we offered in our meetings with the Greek Minister of Tourism, to let free of charge an office in our Cultural Centre for the Greece to set up its Australian Headquarters for Tourism” says Bill Papastergiadis.

Mr Papastergiadis went on to say that “In statistics published by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, Australia is a clear standout. Australians spend the most out of all tourists globally in their trips to Greece. Equally, they stay for the longest period of time in Greece as against all tourists from other countries. Hence, to capitalise on these important statistics, we offered space free of charge for Greece to set up an office to further develop its tourist market” At present, Greece does not have any direct office in Australia.

“Accordingly and noting our actions on this aspect of the Greek economy, it was pleasing to have the iconic the Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts team undertake a two-week visit to Australia full of meetings and events involving distinguished travel agents, tour operators and Australian media.”

The visit coincided with the decision by Qatar Airways to commence direct flights to Mykonos. Bill Papastergiadis was invited to present at the official function held by Qatar Airways in Melbourne.

The visit by the Myconian Collection encompassed important discussions and meetings in various cities like Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast in Australia as well as Auckland in New Zealand, with all the significant travel organizations, tourism agencies and MTA Travel Agents; Some of them included the president of the Greek Community in Australia, Mr Bill Papastergiadis; Myconian Collection’s partners from Qatar Airways Mrs Alexandra Pisker and Mr. Adam Radwanski; Trade Commissioner of Greece to Australia Mrs Katia Gkikiza; and Mrs Halina Kubica, Manager & Owner of the Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre, with whom they celebrated the launch of the new Luxury Greece Collection.

Costas Markos stated, “The Myconian Collection’s strong offering and leading presence on the Greek hospitality and tourism ecosystem left the best impressions on the Australian and Greek-Australian travel community, while emphasis was placed on the brand’s tenth property, Panoptis Escape, launching in May of 2019.”

Myconian Collection’s President & CEO, Vangelis Daktylides, said of the visit:

“Mykonos saw a marked increase in Australian visitors in recent years, particularly so through the introduction of Qatar Airways’ direct service from Doha to Mykonos which launched in May 2018. Americans and Brits are the top two international markets entering Mykonos, with Australia hovering around the top five source markets.

As a genuine Mykonian family, we welcome guests with warmth and attentiveness, and our service comes straight from the heart. Every detail we have created is our way of bringing people closer and building long-lasting relationships. With every passing year, we discover new ways of communicating our passion. Our style of hospitality is personal and warm, not just professional and lavish. We approach everything we undertake with enthusiasm and responsibility, from accommodation to the standards of service and hosting of events.”

One of the most important talking points during the Australia visit was the new property that the Greek family-owned group is set to add to its Mykonos stable, debuting in May 2019. The new addition will, like its nine sister properties, be part of a global hotel collective.

According to President and CEO Vangelis Daktylides, the brand’s multiple luxury hotel affiliations provide greater worldwide customer scope for the Greek hospitality brand: “This strategy is how we have gone from strength to strength, landing acclaims and awards for our properties.” These coveted collaborations include the status of the Leading Hotels of the World, Design Hotels, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Relais & Chateâux, as well as preferred arrangements with luxury retail travel networks Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network and Traveller Made.

Anastasios Naoum, General Manager of Myconian Villa Collection, part of the delegation to Australia, states:

“It’s important to be represented in each of those groups because the networks open up new possibilities and opportunities. They show you the world. Actually, we have almost everyone on board. Our connections include very strong networks that cover the biggest and most important markets worldwide, including Europe, Middle East, East and West Pacific. All of them help us a lot.”

ABOUT MYCONIAN COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS
The Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned group of outstanding luxury hotels on the legendary island of Mykonos including three Relais & Châteaux, two Leading Hotels of the World, two Design Hotels and two Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The hotels lay claim to some of the island’s most beautiful settings offering savvy guests a variety of the most fascinating locations, avant-garde spa centres, gourmet restaurants, first class conference facilities and magnificent wedding venues.

On the unspoiled Elia Beach, renowned for its fine sand and crystal waters, the Myconian Utopia Resort Relais & Châteaux, the Myconian Avaton Resort – A Member of Design Hotels, the Myconian Villa Collection Member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection and the Myconian Imperial and Royal Myconian Resorts – both eminent members of the Leading Hotels of the World –command panoramic views of the Aegean from spectacular pool decks and private terraces.

Further south, the Myconian Ambassador Relais & Châteaux beams as a beacon of contemporary refinement over the stunning bay of Platis Gialos – the pearl in a string of celebrated beaches that includes Psarou, Agia Anna and Paranga.

In Mykonos Town, overlooking the emblematic Alefkandra windmills and on the very site that the group’s founder selected for his first hotel, the five-star Myconian Kyma – a Member of Design Hotels, Myconian Naia – Luxury Suites, LVX Collection, Preferred Hotels and Resorts, and the Myconian Korali Relais & Châteaux complete a brilliant hospitality constellation that is without peer in the Aegean.