Costa Navarino makes India debut ahead of direct flights to Greece
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Showcases offerings to build momentum and improve accessibility for Indian travellers.
Costa Navarino, a leading sustainable destination in Greece, has officially marked its debut visit to India, aiming to build stronger ties with the Indian travel trade fraternity and unveil its market strategy. Hosted exclusive showcases in New Delhi and Mumbai, where in the latter, Evgenios Dendrinos, Managing Director of TEMES – Developers of Costa Navarino, engaged with tour operators to strengthen trade ties.
Speaking exclusively to Travel Trends Today (T3), Dendrinos shared that the visit coincides with the anticipated launch of direct flights between Athens and both Mumbai and New Delhi, expected next year.
“There is tremendous potential for collaboration between the two countries, particularly in tourism. I believe there’s growing awareness in India of the opportunities we can create together. In terms of distance, we are your first gateway to Europe. Soon, with direct flights from New Delhi or Mumbai to Athens, travellers will be able to reach us in just five and a half to six hours, and from there, easily connect to Costa Navarino. Looking ahead to 2027, with the new airport opening in Heraklion, we expect even more direct flight connections,” Dendrinos noted.
He further emphasised that groundwork is being laid to showcase their offerings and build momentum on their country’s side to improve accessibility for Indian travellers. This includes streamlining processes such as faster visa issuance. “All the ongoing private investment will eventually lead to these procedures being optimised as well,” he added.
Speaking about the status of tourist arrivals, Dendrinos noted, “We’ve always traditionally welcomed Indian travellers at Costa Navarino, though the numbers have remained relatively low. We firmly believe that improved connectivity is key. Once that happens, we are confident that the figures will grow exponentially.”
Expanding on their strategy for engaging with the Indian travel trade, Dendrinos emphasised that Costa Navarino is positioned as a high-end luxury offering. “We will identify and collaborate with key players on the trade side. Our site offers comprehensive information on both our leisure and residential offerings. We also have a dedicated team eager to travel and support our partners in India. We aim to build strong partnerships through the right channels, targeting both premium leisure travellers and the MICE segment to attract more visitors to our resorts.”
When asked about group movements and MICE tourism, Dendrinos cited two major events that highlight the capabilities. “In 2015, we hosted the global launch of the Volkswagen Passat, which brought 15,000 delegates who rotated in and out every two days. More recently, in mid-March this year, we hosted the International Olympic Committee, where members gathered to vote for the global president. The delegation included Mrs. Ambani from India, who is part of the committee. The event welcomed over 1,000 participants. Our conference centre can comfortably accommodate over 1,200 guests for a seated dinner.”