DRMumbai: Remember the picturesque setting of the super hit number Swag Se Karenge Sabka Swagat in the Bollywood thriller Tiger Zinda Hai where Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are grooving in style? That’s Naxos Island in Greece. The rectangular door frame which dominates the song sequence is in fact the ruins of the entrance (portara) to the unfinished Apollo Temple.
The Greek Islands, about 200 of them inhabitable, are simply to die for
Whether it is the pristine whitewashed, cubiform houses in Santorini, the architectural wonders in Athens or the windmills at Mykonos, Greece is simply spectacular. It is a nation that can be many things to many visitors: very romantic, exceptionally beautiful, rich in culture, exotic heritage, honest, fun and tolerant people, awe-inspiring architecture, mouth-watering cuisine, and much much more. A year-round destination in every sense of the word.
“Last year, over 30,000 Indians visited Greece” says Michael Michailidis, Head of Market Research, Greek National Tourism Organisation. “Primarily Indians came to our country for celebrating their weddings and honeymoons. We are seeing them spend roughly 5-7 days.”
After Tiger Zinda Hai, the song video of which clocked over 245 million views on YouTube, Greece has become very popular in India and many Indians want to travel there now. “We have seen unprecedented interest coming from India after Tiger Zinda Hai”, confirms Michailidis.
Though capital city Athens is well connected with the rest of the world and most Middle East airlines fly in there, easy accessibility has been an issue especially for Indian tourists. “We are expecting some good news this year,” confides Michailidis. “Direct flights by Air India connecting Mumbai and Delhi to Athens is a matter being pursued.”
While Athens with its rich archaeological, cultural and heritage sites including the world famous Parthenon is most sought after, it is the Greek Islands, about 200 of which are inhabited, that are to die for.
Europe has always been the main source market for Greece and in 2017, the country saw 30 million foreign tourist arrivals.
