According to a report in the Heraklion newspaper “Patris”, a very large tourism and retail sector combined project involving a consortium of Turkish and Greek businessmen, is under negotiation, and as long as everything goes as hoped, this winter could see more than 50,000 German pensioners visiting Crete.
The ambitious scheme is already well under way in terms of planning and organisation, following a model already working successfully in Cyprus, Turkey, Morocco and Dubai.
The idea is simple. Tourists travel to Crete from the end of October until the beginning of April, with exceptionally economical packages, staying for one week in 4 and 5 star hotels. During their stay, they will take part in organised visits to predetermined retail outlets in Heraklion and Rethymnon, to purchase leather goods, carpets, woven items and jewellery.
The key, but also the risk for the success of the idea, is that income from their purchases will cover the losses from the extremely cheap packages deals for their holiday. The fact is that there will be 1,200 tourists each week in different resorts around Crete.
Already for many years, the same programme is working very well in other countries such as Cyprus and Dubai, with tens of thousands of tourist participating. If it goes well in Crete, the number of tourists that could be expected in the second phase, will double, with the scheme being extended and following the Germans, we may well see Scandinavians, French and other Europeans.
The sources used by “Patris” suggest that discussions for cooperation are well underway between the Turks and a large and well known Cretan businessman involved in tourism, who will be responsible for providing the accommodation and the tours on Crete, along with a major airline who will provide the charter flights from Germany to Heraklion.
For this year, six hotels are planned to be taking part in the scheme and they are situated between Hersonissos and Ammoudara, Heraklion and to the west, from Scaletta to Georgioupolis.
The fact that these hotels will stay open throughout the winter, may also attract other tourists who would like to enjoy Crete out of season and the plan is that with the success of the scheme, more hotels will included.
The important factor about this particular “model” is that it combines shopping and the holiday finally, and for the first time, Crete will get on the map of winter tourism destinations, strengthening – most significantly – the economy of the island during a very difficult phase for everyone.
