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Over 20 pages of comprehensive information about Acharavi, Corfu combining 35 years knowledge of the resort. |
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The Definitive Acharavi Guide
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Castaway Travel April ‘05 |
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This Month’s Featured Business is Castaway Travel - Acharavi’s Longest Established Travel Agent. Click the link below to read our interview with the owner Sue.
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Click the envelope to email us. |
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Castaway Travel is Acharavi’s longest established travel agent. I had an opportunity to as Sue about the business and about tourism in general in Acharavi. |
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Water was fun, in August, when the tanks were low we were lucky to get a dribble in the taps between and two and four in the morning. Those lower down in the village did better for longer but for me, living up a hill, washing (by hand) was a night time chore. NOONE complained either. It was accepted that this was a small Greek village, on an Island and water was treated as a luxury - and with the respect it deserves.
Now Artesian wells ensure that when ever you turn on the tap there is a constant supply of fresh water.
The only restaurants were the Gloo Gloo, Terry's Wave (Kyma), the Neraida, Pumphouse, Valentines Pizzaria, The Skondros, Kormoranos, and Georges in Almiros. The butcher (now retired) on the back road had barbecue in his forecourt and made the most wonderful fresh little souvlaki.
The main road had no pavements but it didn’t matter as there were so many less cars than now. Donkeys still played an important role in daily life.
In fact making me think back to "back then" makes me realise what a huge leap the area has taken into the 21st century. We now have a thriving village with all the modern facilities that one would expect.
Can you outline what Castaway and associated businesses provide the holidaymaker today ? We are a general service point for anyone on holiday in the area. Having our own boat, the “Captain Aris”, captained by the infamous Captain Aris himself, we offer an exclusive selection of one day cruises and boat barbecues. There is no doubt that Greece and the sea are synonymous, there is no more relaxing way to have fun, or sightsee whilst topping up the tan at the same time! I truly believe there is no better stress therapy than a boat trip!
For larger family groups we often do a "charter" having a boat just for themselves for the day, cruising down the coast calling into coves inaccessible by road, swimming from the boat , revelling in Greece's best asset... the sea!
Being independent we have the best range of excursions at the best prices. Excursions are still a popular way of experiencing the island, and a convenient way of exploring, often with experienced guides.
Our location in the quieter Northern end of Corfu means the roads are not as busy as near Corfu town, so renting a car is a great a great way of straying from the beaten track, seeing some of our magnificent mountain scenery and pretty rural villages, or visiting some of the other beautiful beaches around and about.
For providing car hire we use reliable local companies with a good range of vehicles at very competitive rates, with full insurance cover.
We find that our role is also being the focal point where people come to discover as much as they can about the area they have chosen for their holiday and, being local, there isn't much we don’t know. What we don’t know we will find out!
Often though we are there just for a chat to catch up on what has happened over the last 12 months, or maybe to help and reassure in emergencies such as an accident, or illness, it is reassuring to know that there is someone Greek speaking who can sympathetically sort things out.
We are a licensed “bureau de change” and many people are not aware that it is better to bring Pounds - either travellers cheques (which are insured), or cash. The rate of exchange is always much better in Greece than the UK (it seems travel agents often give incorrect information). W offer a free safety deposit service for clients of the office.
For those who use part of their holiday to catch up on reading we even have a "swap shop" library!
We have found too that, in recent years, we are now also offering a service to the large number of Brits who have made a lifestyle change and moved to Corfu. As a full travel agent we are able to arrange all kinds of travel and book flights both scheduled and charter all over the world. This is something I have always enjoyed and originally UK trained to do.
We all know that Acharavi has changed a great deal since Castaway was born but can you tell us how/if your target market has changed and how you have adapted to meet your Customer’s requirements today.
The way people holiday has changed a great deal since the advent of cheap “no frills” airlines offering low-cost breaks to cities all over Europe. The old idea of a two week in the sun holiday has changed, many prefer to DO something, have an adventure holiday perhaps. Our main clientele tends to be families, for whom a two week beach holiday is still the best all round recipe for success for all the family to enjoy, and couples who want some R&R.
Briefly can you summarise Acharavi today. I have heard the phrase “Acharavi - The capital of the North” – can you comment on this? Has the change in Acharavi been beneficial or detrimental to the tourist?
Even people who have been returning to Acharavi for many years like the changes that have occurred as there is now so much more on offer. The beach is so big that expansion has not made the village congested and the buildings are all a maximum of 2 storeys and in local style, so not spoiling the visual aspects of the area. The addition of tree lined pavements have been a boon as the main road was a bit too busy for people with pushchairs to walk safely along it.
Why do people seem to come back year after year? I have met so many people who say “I’ve been coming back to Acharavi for 20 [or more] years!” What’s the attraction [Guilty as charged as I have been coming for 11 years but I just want your version!]
Mmm well the Corfiots blame the water! Drink it at your peril, as once sampled you are doomed to become addicted! I truly think it is the extraordinary hospitality and friendliness of the people who make you feel so welcome and at home that really clinches it. Together with the fact that scenically the area is hard to beat.
We all know that tourism would not exist without the tour operators and they provide a super service. However, can you summarise the benefits of independent travel vs the tour operator in terms of your views and the comments made by your Customers?
I have already said that I believe the no frills airlines have single headedly altered the way people holiday, combined with the advent of the internet, so many people now research their holidays on line and look for bargains. The next easy step was to put your own beach holiday together too. We mostly find that people often test the waters on a package holiday, then, once they are confident that the area is right for them, they pop in and chat about the next years holiday and even have a look at some of the houses available so they eliminate the risk factor.
They know us, they know who they will be dealing with and have hand picked their holiday home. Others who are used to using the internet to choose their holiday like the personal service they get e mailing someone who has first hand experience of the area they are researching and can answer any question about the properties to make sure it is the right one for them. That can tell them if they need a pushchair, can they buy baby food, is the house child friendly, how far EXACTLY to the beach etc.
They all find that this gives them the best value for money all around, especially in high season where tour operators have got themselves such a bad name for overcharging families who are restricted to travel in school holidays. They all find too that this way they make the holiday suit them, they choose their airport, their flight times and they can choose their duration too, from long weekends to the whole 6 weeks school holidays !
We have all heard stories (true or false) about the decline in tourism over the last couple of years in Acharavi. Can you comment on this? What do you think the future holds? If the allegations of a decline are founded then what are the reasons?
Reasons too many to list really. I believe some of it cyclic, been there done that, try somewhere new. New destinations like Croatia will dilute a market already depressed by the world economy. Long haul has reduced in cost too. As I said above about no frills airlines, they also play a role. The Euro zone has sadly suffered some price increases since the Euro was introduced, but everyone who holidays here agrees it is still excellent value for money and not expensive here.
The internet has developed in leaps and bounds over the last few years. The percentage of households who have access [or via friends/family] to the internet in the UK currently stands at some 70%.
How has this changed Customer demands? Surely this allows people to shop around and not be guided by a Travel Agent in the High Street on a “sales mission”
Britain is a bit behind the rest of the world, they do not yet have full confidence in the internet. Often I get an email in the morning but before I have a chance to answer the sender has phoned and asked the same question, just checking there are real people there ?!
Research: There are many message forums relating to holiday resorts, accommodation etc. Do you agree that most people seem to research their chosen holiday resort AFTER they have booked? If so – why do you think this is and what should be done to reverse the trend?
Human nature I think, to see reassurance that they made the right choice...! Time and experience will hopefully show them how to use the internet and sort the dross from the genuine article.
Dilution of business: Is it true that now, with the relatively low cost of setting up a web-site to market accommodation, there is a wider choice today for the consumer looking to book independently. If this is the case, what can you do/are you doing to ensure that Castaway remains at the top of the pile?
Constantly keeping an eye on what people are looking for, making sure that when someone asks for advice that our name is the first on their lips.
We need to know more about you: Whom do you admire most in the business world (wherever in the world) and why?
I admire entrepreneurs , like the 18 year old that has just started an airline business flying from Cambridge to Oxford, spotted a gap in the market and jumped in to fill it, not afraid to experiment and try something new, wish I had the courage ......and the luck sometimes!!
During the summer you work seven days a week in the office. What is your major source of job-satisfaction and why?
I love the mixture of people I meet from all walks of life. I get tremendous satisfaction seeing people have a fantastic holiday, and become another Corfu addict!
And finally: Many people who know of Castaway Travel know of the infamous Captain Aris and the Castaway BBQ Cruise. For those that don’t (and in less that 50 words) summarise Captain Aris’ character and why a trip on the Castaway BBQ Cruise is a must for anyone staying in Acharavi and the surrounding resorts.
50 words? Me? Captain Aris is special because he encompasses that amazing Greek Philoxenia which translates (badly) as hospitality, but is much more than that. He has a huge heart, a wicked sense of humour and loves children. His big personality combined with that something special that the Greek sea has, is guaranteed to be the best memory anyone has of a boat trip with him. |
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When was Castaway Established ? Established in 1985
Tell us what Acharavi was like “back then!!!” Oh I remember when ..................... My first office was near the Gloo Gloo (a popular taverna with Greek dancing in the 80/90's and an institution to regular visitors then!) in a badly converted barn, we had no phone and I used to have to run around to the kafenion on the back road to make calls.
The were only half a dozen phones in the area then, and that didn’t guarantee a line! At busy times you had to keep dialling zero until you were lucky enough to grab a free line, that could take half an hour! International calls required super human patience. Mind you I wasn’t expected to keep in touch so much then. I do wonder if life wasn’t better without a phone glued to one's person! |
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Many Thanks to Sue for providing a fascinating insight into Acharavi, it’s history and tourism past and present from her experience at the helm of Castaway Travel. |
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This Month’s Featured Business is Castaway Travel - Acharavi’s Longest Established Travel Agent. Click the link below to read our interview with the owner Sue.
|
|
Click the envelope to email us. |
|
This Month’s Featured Business is Castaway Travel - Acharavi’s Longest Established Travel Agent. Click the link below to read our interview with the owner Sue.
|
|
Click the envelope to email us. |
|
This Month’s Featured Business is Castaway Travel - Acharavi’s Longest Established Travel Agent. Click the link below to read our interview with the owner Sue.
|
|
Click the envelope to email us. |
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