Global Broadcast Of Santorini Experience

At a "warm" event in downtown Athens, the official presentation of the 3rd "Santorini Experience" was held on Tuesday, May 30th, while the organization will take place in the enchanting Santorini from 6 to 8 October. The press Conference of the top sports tourism event for professional and amateur athletes in Greece, was hosted at the Wyndham Grand Athens hotel, with the presence of journalists and numerus eminent guests.

The event also featured the exclusive show with the best moments of "Santorini Experience 2016" before the broadcast by FOX Sports.

Several honored personalities were present in the event, people that are connected with the successful sports weekend of Santorini, which will be held for the 3rd consecutive year. The mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, the president of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos, the president of D.A.P.P.O.S. (Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini) Mr. Lefteris Tzouros, the technical directors of swimming and running Nikos Gemelos and Nikos Polias, the responsible of the Kids' Athletics program, Periklis Iakovakis, as well as Greek National Open Water Swimming team were some of the protagonists of the Press Conference.

The mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, made a very important announcement and pointed, among other things: "We are delighted to welcome the 3rd Santorini Experience this year! This sports event has become an establishment for our island and even more visitors are looking forward and arrange their holidays around it. This year, which is very emotional for us, the 5 km route will be named "Aristides Alafouzos". The route, begins from the desalination factory of Oia, which was donated to the island's inhabitants by this great man. This action, as a minimum tribute to the late Aristides Alafouzos, while in the future there will be also other acts of expressing our gratitude".

Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos, the president of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (ΚΟΕ), said: "The event is part of the sport tourism, which our country needs and in combination with the venue, the beautiful Santorini, gives an incentive for an important event that goes beyond the limits of Greece and is now becoming an international sport and tourism event. By incorporating it under the auspices of KOE and with the participation of the whole National Team and the top athletes in OPEN WATER, we support the event in practice, thus contributing to its promotion and establishment in the international arena”.

Greetings also addressed by the Greek National Tourism Organization General Secretary, Mr. Dimitrios Tryfonopoulos: "Last year athletes from 28 countries realized why this island offers unique experiences to its visitors. This year, those who will be involved, will experience it in practice. This event is in line with the objectives of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) to internationally promote the country's destinations as well as the alternative forms of Greek tourism, that ensure sustainable development with a 12-month horizon. In fact, through the coverage of networks such as FOX Sports, one of the largest sports television networks in the world, we have the opportunity to spread our message to countless potential visitors, much more than the 28 million people we have hosted in 2016".

Please note that the FOX Sports premiere in Europe, of the show with the best moments of last year's organization, will be broadcasted through NOVA on 19/6, while of Asia, Africa etc.

The president of DAPPOS, Mr. Lefteris Tzouros, in his turn, said: "Santorini Experience returns on October 6-8 full of energy and new ideas.

Establishing it is a fact that makes us proud because in a very short time it has managed to gain a world-wide glamor, which was our initial goal. The successful collaboration of the Municipality of Santorini - DAPPOS - ACTIVE MEDIA, the auspices of the ΚΟΕ and the Greek National Tourism Organization, as well as our sponsors, are the factors that have given a global power to the organization. We are waiting for you to live these moments and to participate in the challenge of Santorini Experience... ".

An important part of the success of the event is also accomplished thanks to Ryanair, who as an official airline partner of "Santorini Experience", offers the connection of Athens with Santorini with direct flights from 13 cities abroad. At the same time, for those who choose a flight with an intermediate stop in Athens, the cooperation with the Wyndham Grand Athens Hotel offers accommodation with very attractive packages, which happens for the first time in a sports event taking place outside Athens.

"Santorini Experience" is the 1st Sport Tourism Event in Greece with an online special website section for the partner hotels, aiming to bring more athletes, targeting to the bloom of tourism with a higher turnout from abroad. It’s worth to be mentioned that in almost one month of registrations, 80% of them come from Russia, Austria, Italy and Germany.

The organization innovates once again by taking care of amateur athletes with the addition of a high-quality safety lifeguard buoy, which gives the participant another reason to choose the participation in Santorini Experience.

All of the above would not have happened without the great support of the sponsors who stood by the idea of "Santorini Experience" from day one. "Vikos" is one of these companies, which for the third consecutive year will offer to the athletes who will take part the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.

More information regarding the activities schedule and the hospitality packages of sponsors will be announced in the following weeks.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube Channel
Instagram
Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites
Official Supporters: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Wyndham Grand Athens, Santorini Boatmen Union
Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini
Official Travel Agent: Smile Acadimos

(photo credit: Mike Tsolis)