The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed progress by states towards a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero aviation carbon emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement’s temperature objectives. This is noted in the summary of discussions for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) High-Level Meeting held in preparation for the 41st ICAO Assembly later this year. “The ICAO High-Level Meeting’s support of a long-term goal for states that is in line with the aviation sector’s net-zero by 2050 commitment is a step in the right direction. A formal agreement at the 41st ICAO Assembly would underpin a common approach by states to decarbonize aviation. That’s critical for the aviation industry. Knowing that government policies will support the same goal and timeline globally will enable the sector, especially its suppliers, to make the needed investments to decarbonize,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. In October 2021, IATA member airlines committed to net zero emissions by 2050. The path to achieving this will involve a combination of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new propulsion technology, infrastructure, operational efficiencies, and carbon offsets/carbon capture to fill any gaps. “Net zero by 2050 will require a global transition for aviation to new fuels, technologies, and operations. The significant investments to get there will need a solid policy foundation aligned with a global way forward. That is why it is so important for states to carry the momentum of the High-Level Meeting through to a formal agreement at the 41st ICAO Assembly in a few weeks,” said Walsh. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Adblock test (Why?)

The signing of 16 business deals and cooperation memoranda between Greece and Saudi Arabia in Athens signals "a special moment in Greece's relationship with Saudi Arabia," said Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Economic Diplomacy & Openness Kostas Fragogiannis on Wednesday, ANA reports. The minister added that the number of deals signed at the Greek-Saudi Business Meeting on Wednesday - during the first official visit to Greece of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - "is undoubtedly a success and encouraging in that we are moving in the right direction."   Fragogiannis was addressing the high-level meeting with members of the Saudi ministerial and business team, which followed the two recent business forums held between the two countries in 2022 (Riyadh, March 13-14 and Athens, May 30-31). As the Foreign Ministry's Secretary General for International Economic Relations & Extroversion Ioannis Smyrlis said, "Over 100 Greek and nearly 40 Saudi businesses met in Athens today" leading to agreements. Smyrlis, also head of the country's export-promotion agency Enterprise Greece, also said the 16 agreements concern the sectors of energy, shipping, aquaculture, waste management, construction and defense technology, and also foods and agri-food, as well as culture. Among the agreements signed was one for the construction of a submerged cable system to transfer data, worth nearly 1 billion euros (3.75 billion SAR), called East to Med Data Corridor (the EMC project), and one for energy that covers conventional and renewal energy sources worth 2.6 billion euros. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Ras67 Adblock test (Why?)

The Bank of Greece (BoG) will revise its forecasts for the growth rate of the Greek economy upward this year, its governor Yannis Stournaras said on Wednesday during a radio interview, ANA reports. Stournaras said that BoG's original forecast was for a GDP rise of 3.2% in 2022, but this he explained was based on the premise that travel receipts would reach 80% of 2019's receipts.  Looking ahead at the government support already provided or being planned for a difficult winter season ahead, Greece's central bank governor cautioned against exceeding some fiscal limits, especially as Greece is aiming for an investment-grade ranking. a goal he termed "national" and "absolute". Greece can reach the goal within 2023, the BoG governor asserted, but it also must return to primary surpluses the soonest as possible in order to be able to pay the interest rates of public debt that amount to nearly 2.2% of GDP. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Dimboukas Adblock test (Why?)

An injured four-month young roe deer was rescued and is recovering at the environmental non-governmental organization 'Arcturos' in Xanthi, northern Greece, it was reported on Friday, ANA reports. The animal was spotted in the woods by Xanthi Forestry Department staff, who found out it had suffered an open fracture wound to his left foreleg. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Adblock test (Why?)

The New Democracy government’s push to allow development almost anywhere has drawn worry from a bevy of groups that measure will lead to disruptions in protected Natura environmental sites. A draft law of new regulations for those put to public consultation by the Environment Ministry has riled scientists, environmental organizations, and citizens who said it would put human footprints in safeguarded ecosystems. Almost all of the 850 initial comments were opposed to the plan, said Kathimerini, but there was no response from the ministry or government about what its aim is, critics wanted the bill withdrawn. The proposed legislation allows the opening of roads and the construction of energy transmission networks in Natura sites – essentially major human interventions in sensitive ecosystems noted the paper, which leans toward the government. With an energy crisis leading to the government seeking sustainable alternatives including wind turbines, the ecosystems could be used for transmission there even if it potentially damages them. The draft also would allow for tourist facilities in a further nod to private companies that could be enriched and pushes installation of renewable energy sources (RES) in nature protection zones and even mining. It goes so far as to end almost all restrictions for development in habitat conservation zones effectively opening them to builders and treating the land as if isn’t protected, which it wouldn’t be under the law. Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Geraki Adblock test (Why?)

The warm aerial masses from Western Europe and the coast of North Africa moving towards Greece will bring a spike in temperatures over the next few days in the greater part of the country, ANA reports. The National Meteorological Service has issued an emergency weather warning, stating the areas most affected by the heatwave will be Western, Central, and Northern Greece as well as the islands of the Southeastern Aegean and the Dodecanese islands. Especially for Athens temperatures, are expected to reach 39C to 40C. A small drop in temperatures is expected from Tuesday but the minimum and maximum temperatures will remain high in the low-lying areas of Central Macedonia, Thessaly, and Central Greece until Thursday, 28 July.  RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Adblock test (Why?)

Greek salads are the best in the world. It’s not just us saying, but the official TasteAtlas site, which included 8 in the top 50, with the famous Cretan salad called Dakos taking the second spot overall, protothema.gr reports. It is no surprise, as one of the principal features for which tourists choose our country to spend their holidays, apart from the sea, is also the food. Greek cuisine is known the world over for its fresh products and visitors arriving seek to taste as many dishes as they can. At the top, of course, are foods such as souvlaki, moussaka, and others of that kind, especially fish, but the Greek salads have a special place for the foodies. TasteAtlas compiled the list of the best salads after voting, with the renowned Greek salad ranking 10th and the Patatosalata coming in 15th. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Frente Adblock test (Why?)

Greece is bracing for a heatwave starting tomorrow, with temperatures expected to hit the low 40s (Celsius). The heat is forecast to last until the end of the month, protothema.gr reports. Based on the latest meteorological data, the heatwave which will start tomorrow Friday and will mainly be felt during the weekend for most areas of the country will not be extreme or dangerous in terms of the maximum temperatures, but it will be quite tedious in terms of the time period. In the heat-sensitive areas of the mainland, as ND deputy and meteorologist Giannis Kallianos notes, temperatures will reach 41-42 degrees Celsius, i.e. lowland parts of Central Macedonia, for example, parts in the prefecture of Serres, areas to the west of Thessaloniki, lowland parts of Pella or the prefecture of Kilkis, the Thessalian plain, remote from the sea areas of Epirus, parts of Aitoloakarnania, Fthiotida and also Boeotia, possibly the westernmost areas of the Prefecture of Attica, parts of Argolis, Corinth and also Laconia. As far as the region of Attica is concerned, the maximum temperatures for the next few days will be as follows:Friday, July 22: 37-38°CSaturday, July 23rd: 38°CSunday, July 24th: 40-41°CMonday, July 25th: 40-41°C The temperatures will be similar in the following days as well, after July 25th. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: pixabay.com Adblock test (Why?)

There’s still a deficit in Greece, but less so because more people are paying their taxes in lump sums instead of installments, and tourism is on a course to set a record, but not enough money to reduce the 24 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on food. With inflation at an all-time high and households struggling to buy food and gas and deal with electric bills that have nearly doubled, the New Democracy government said that bigger-than-expected revenues will fund more aid though. Ironically, much of those tax revenues come from the VAT, including on food, a rate among the highest in the European Union, but the government said subsidies will be directed toward reducing consumers' energy costs. With Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ New Democracy government facing a re-election campaign in 2023, he still has a lead of 8 percent over the major rival and former ruling SYRIZA that has been sniping at his handling of the economy – which is expected to grow almost 4 percent during the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. Tax collection figures presented by Alternate Finance Minister Theodoros Skylakakis showed a bump up of 799 million euros ($813.99 million) in June compared to the target set by the government, said Kathimerini. “The positive course of public revenues continued in June. Even if the advance collection of some revenue from the Single Property tax (ENFIA) is taken into account, the growth rate of tax revenue compared to the budget remains very high, confirming the significant growth dynamics of the economy, despite the extremely adverse international conditions,” he said. Tax revenues were 4.117 billion euros ($4.19 billion) which were up 24.1 percent against the goal, the report said, because of a higher collection rate and from the second installment of the hated ENFIA. Finance Ministry sources not named told the paper that means there’s enough money in the state coffers to finance further assistance over energy costs, including gasoline, although the government earlier backed away from a pledge to look at cutting the food VAT. Budget data for January-June showed a primary deficit of 3.43 billion euros ($3.4 billion) against a target for a primary deficit of 4.9 billion euros ($4.99 billion) with tax revenues of 24.73 billion euros ($25.17 billion.) That was up 3.64 billion euros ($3.7 billion) or 17.3 percent compared to the budget target although still not enough to bring a surplus, enough to fuel further state aid for energy costs, but not food. Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Mstyslav Chernov Adblock test (Why?)

 It may seem odd in a country known for sun, sea, and beaches, but Kastoria in northern Greece has for generations been home to a major fur industry, now at risk because of European Union sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. In a feature, the Reuters news agency reported the dire effect on the fur businesses in a city on Lake Orestiada, west of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city in Macedonia, where the firms have been a mainstay. Antonis Disios said he fears he will lose a fur business that has operated for decades, with wealthy Russians who are major buyers now locked out by the sanctions that exempt Russian oil and gas because Greece and the EU need it. He had to close the business in March when the sanctions went into effect, lay off 23 workers, and hope it would be able to open again because there is no domestic market in Greece for the furs. There are hundreds of fur workshops there and they’re all in the same position of waiting and trying to hang on while essentially put of business, the New Democracy government providing some subsidies for now. “This city is going through its worst,” Disios said, standing in his silent showroom. “We’re in despair,” he told the news agency, showing a coat made from Russian sable that sells for 30,000 euros ($30,722) because it’s one of the most expensive furs in the world and there were plenty of buyers. “They must set us free. Or they can come to take them and sell them themselves,” Disios said, pleading for the sanctions to be lifted the same way the EU has made concessions over Russian energy. Kastoria is the center of the centuries-old fur industry in Greece, the last in the EU where fur farming is still allowed despite unrelenting pressure from animal rights groups domestically and abroad who hope the sanctions will bring the businesses’ death knell. What could also bring the end is that major fashion houses such as Gucci and Prada said they will turn to sell fake fur under pressure from animal rights groups who said the industry is “morally bankrupt.” “Russians have traditionally been big buyers. The war has obviously stopped that, which is extremely good news,” Mark Glover, a spokesperson for Fur Free Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 animal protection groups, told Reuters. But it could also decimate Kastoria which, like US steel towns that became almost abandoned when that industry shifted to other countries, relies on the fur business and its income, no word as why the government doesn’t provide more aid. A MATTER OF MINK A main road in the city is named Furriers’ Avenue, and the streets are lined with now-shuttered fur boutiques with signs in Russian as well as Greek, reaching out to Russian buyers who want to pick out their own. For some 30 years, Russians have been the main target for the fur companies which have tried to find buyers elsewhere with little success, as far away as South Korea as fashion tastes change and challenges increase. The sanctions ban shops from selling to Russian tourists in Greece because fur is considered a luxury good, although with Russian airlines also banned there are few Russians in Greece anywhere. “We go where we’re wanted. We’re not like apples. We can’t just find a new market, there need to be certain conditions,” said Apostolos Tsoukas, the federation’s president. “It’s a matter of time before businesses close, no matter how much help they get from the state,” he said. There are some 2,000 mostly family-run fur firms in Greece, employing about 4,000 people, a small market and not a ripple on the economy – but a wave of fear in Kastoria if they go. State aid to prevent the laid-off workers from being fired outright will be in place until the end of September and lets the businesses suspend contracts of 80 percent, who will get government benefits. Fur garments are among Greece’s top 10 exports, but they have been declining over the years amounting to just 14 million euros ($14.34 million) in 2021, state statistics showed a blip on the screen of the economy. The number of mink farms fell to 92 in 2020 from 131 in 2018, according to animal rights group VeGaia, the news sites said, but it’s been the pandemic’s bite that’s been the deepest and ongoing. Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Pvasiliadis Adblock test (Why?)