Corfu tourist bodies coming together to extend tourist season

Tourist bodies are working with Corfu sports bodies and cultural organisations on plans to attract visitors in the off-peak season.

Discussions are still at a preliminary stage but the first step has been taken to go beyond the normal tourist season.

According to the President of Corfu Hoteliers' Association Babis Voulgaris, over the last few months tourist bodies have been holding discussions with several different organisations with a view to attracting tourist to Corfu in the months outwith the normal season.

"We are trying to create a plan to present to the Municipal and Regional Authorities so that they can provide their support," he said. "The aim is to gradually extend the season, week by week, with various activities which will attract visitors in the off-peak months."

Activities

Babis Voulgaris said that this can be achieved by organising festivals and sports and cultural activities which will allow visitors to see another side of Corfu in the off-peak season.

There are twin objectives - to extend the season to October-November and March-April and to organise 3-day 'city breaks' in the winter, although this is considered to be difficult due to the lack of necessary infrastructure.

"For the first time in years, we are holding fruitful discussions almost on a daily basis regarding the extension of the tourist season," says Pericles Katsaros, President of Corfu Federation of Tourist Accommodation Owners. "But we will need proper promotion and advertising to attract people in the 'dead' months." He added that there will be updates soon on the results of the discussions.