The cleanest beaches in Europe are in Cyprus and Greece

According to a report released May 31 by the European Union. Cyprus had a score of 99 percent compliance with the EU's strictest standards, and Greece scored 96 percent. Spain's beaches scored 92.7 percent. At the bottom of the list was Luxembourg, whose beaches scored only 35 percent. The report on the 2006 season evaluated almost 22,000 beaches.

Greece - Tourism accounts for about 18 percent of Greeceʼs gross domestic product (GDP)

Greece needs cheaper regional airports to tap the growing budget airline trade and boost tourism to the country, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of airline Easyjet, said on Tuesday. Greece has introduced incentives to attract more tourists by granting new licences for the construction of luxury hotels and golf courses, seeking to diversify from the traditional sun and sea tourism.

Athens prepares bold entry to city break market

The final touches are being made to preparations for Athens’ hosting of the international travel trade exhibition City Break 2007 and the European Cities Marketing annual conference, which take place next week. City Break 2007 will be held June 11 to 13 at the Faliro Sports Pavilion, while the conference will be staged June 13 to 16 at the Hotel Athenaeum InterContinental.

Greece, China boost tourism relations

Greece and China agreed on Wednesday to take a series of actions aimed to boosting bilateral tourism relations, starting with finalizing a date on holding a joint Greek-China commission on tourism in October.