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Believe it or not, some travelers are choosing where to travel based on TikTok. It is becoming a marketing tool for the tourism industry, and, with such a large user community –1.7 billion in 2023– TikTok reaches audiences of all ages. Users find new destinations and travel experiences using TikTok, while local tourism authorities are using it as a way to market to new visitors.

According to Fraport, a major transport provider and owner of 14 of Greece’s airports, Greece had record passenger traffic in 2023. More specifically, international passenger traffic boosted by 6.5 percent compared to 2022 and 14 percent over pre-pandemic 2019. The total number of passengers (national and international) handled was 33,800,000, which was an 8.6 percent boost compared to 2022. One of the strongest months was December, when Fraport airports welcomed 754,000 passengers, which was 12.7 percent higher than December in 2022. Statistically, international arrivals grew more than domestic arrivals in this period.

La Divina is a 12-suite hotel, found in the heart of Athens’ historical center. It offers unique views of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora in Thessio, and the Athens Asteroscopio. On the hotel’s ground floor, there are two modern restaurants, ideal for Greek cuisine and local wines. It is also an ideal starting point to explore the historical landmarks and museums of Athens, as well as its vibrant nightlife. The location is ideal for cultural exploration, shopping for souvenirs, indulging in delectable Greek cuisine, or simply enjoying the historic charm of the Thessio neighborhood. Rooms can be booked on the Aria Hotels website here. The real charm of the hotel, however, is in its backstory.

In the mid-1950s, shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos found his own private island in the Mediterranean, much like his rival Aristotle Onassis. The name of Niarchos’s island was Spetsopoula, 60 miles south of the Piraeus port in the Argosaronic Gulf. You may recognize the name because it sounds like "Spetses," which is one of the most popular summer destinations in Greece near Athens. Spetsopoula can be seen from the island of Spetses. When Niarchos found his island, it had a few small houses, a few storehouses, a chapel, and a small unpaved track to an estate about 500 meters from the harbour. These were buildings of Leonidas, the previous owner of the island.