Greece Trip: Non-Conforming Services and Price Discrepancies – Should the Agency Pay? [ABO]


Séjour en Grèce : prestations non conformes et écarts de prix, l’agence doit-elle payer ? - Depositphotos.com  Auteur martinm303

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Two travelers referred the Mediation after a trip to Greece organized by a travel agency. They believed that several services provided did not correspond either to the announced descriptions or to the price they had paid before departure. They were seeking a refund of €2,700.

The trip included several legs through the Cyclades. Upon arrival, the travelers noted various non-conformities: a room in Santorini they deemed different from the one shown at the time of booking, a hotel in Paros that did not match the advertised description, and a discrepancy between the price of certain services charged by the agency and the amount shown on the documents provided on site.

They notably found that the amount paid for their accommodation in Sifnos was higher than the price shown on the establishment’s bill.

The same observation was made for the boat crossings, whose rate actually paid to the companies was much lower than the amount billed within the framework of the trip.

The agency had proposed a first commercial gesture of 235 € to compensate for some differences noted during the stay, an offer the travelers had refused, deeming this amount insufficient.



Ce que disent les textes :

On the legal front, the Mediation notes that Article L. 211-16 of the Tourism Code places full liability on the seller of a package tour for the proper execution of the contracted services.

When the services do not conform to what was agreed, the professional must remedy them or, failing that, compensate the traveler.

Moreover, the case file elements do not call into question the price agreed at booking. However, they highlight a significant gap between the sums paid to the agency and the actual cost of certain services, notably the Sifnos accommodation and the maritime crossings.


Ce que préconise la Médiation Tourisme et Voyage :

In the interest of fairness, the Mediation considers it justified to retain half of these price differences, while taking into account the commercial gesture already offered by the agency.

At the end of its analysis, it therefore recommends the payment of an additional compensation of €277.96, to be added to the €235 already proposed, in order to amicably settle the dispute.


Find all the practical cases from the Tourism and Travel Mediation by clicking HERE.


Hilton Opens Two New Hotels in Greece and Iceland


Hilton poursuit l'expansion de son portefeuille européen avec l'ouverture de deux établissements - Depositphotos.com @josekube

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Hilton continues to expand its European network. The group has just announced the opening of two new properties, one in Greece, and the other in Iceland, illustrating its strategy of growth in popular tourist destinations.

In Chania, on the Crete island, the group unveils the Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa, marking Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ return to Greece.

Located immediately adjacent to the old town and the seafront, the property aims to attract an international clientele year-round.

At the same time, Hilton opens the Skáld Akureyri, Curio Collection by Hilton, the first property of the brand in northern Iceland. Situated in the heart of Akureyri, it relies on an identity strongly rooted in local culture.


La Canée : Hilton mise sur une destination ouverte toute l’année

With this opening, Hilton strengthens its presence in Greece, where the group now operates more than 50 hotels under various brands.

The Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa comprises 85 rooms and suites. All feature a balcony with a private heated pool, while some also offer a private sauna and views of the Aegean Sea.

The property also includes an on-site rooftop infinity pool, a botanical garden, a spa developed in partnership with L’Occitane en Provence, a fitness center and several spaces dedicated to hosting meetings, seminars, weddings or private events.

On the dining front, several concepts are offered: a Mediterranean all-day restaurant, a rooftop with a pool, a sea-facing lounge as well as a Fauchon cafe-patisserie, marking its first presence in Greece.

According to Hilton, this new property aligns with a plan to help desaisonnalize the destination by developing an offering suitable for both leisure travelers and business guests.


En Islande, Curio Collection s’installe à Akureyri

More than 4,000 kilometers from Crete, Hilton also continues its expansion in the Nordic countries with the opening of the Skáld Akureyri, Curio Collection by Hilton.

The hotel comprises 71 rooms as well as 15 serviced apartments. Its concept draws on Icelandic literary heritage: the name Skáld refers to the poets and storytellers who hold an important place in the country’s culture. This identity is reflected in the interior design, the choice of materials and the artworks present in the property.

The Abba-labba-lá restaurant showcases Nordic cuisine crafted from local and seasonal ingredients. Two rooftop terraces, a fitness space and several reception areas complete the offering.

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Akureyri’s city center, the hotel also positions itself as a gateway to the main natural sites of northern Iceland, including the Diamond Circle, whale-watching excursions, ski resorts and the Northern Lights.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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MGallery Collection Opens in Rhodes, Greece


MGallery Collection s'installe à Rhodes, MGallery Rhodes, photo by MGallery

CroisiEurope


The Island of the Knights is poised to welcome a new benchmark in luxury hospitality.

In July 2026, MGallery Collection and Colossos SA formalized the signing of an agreement to establish the brand’s very first hotel on Rhodes.

Currently under construction in the Kallithea region, this exclusive adults-only project will unfold facing panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, blending inspiring architecture, holistic well-being and refined gastronomy.

Inspired by the rich architectural heritage of the local medieval city, the complex revolves around a ten-story main building with a spiraling silhouette, ensuring unobstructed sea views from every accommodation.

Designed to deliver calm and privacy, the resort will also offer suites as well as bungalows with private pools, all set within a Mediterranean landscape of ancient olive trees, lavender and native plants.

This vision is borne directly by Aris Soulounias, Chief Executive Officer of Colossos SA : « MGallery Rhodes represents a major strategic investment for Colossos SA and embodies our vision for the future of Rhodes’ hospitality: hospitality driven by quality, a sense of aesthetics, international partnerships and experiences with a strong sense of identity.

Our collaboration with Accor, and more specifically with the internationally recognized MGallery Collection, gives a new dimension to this project and brings together all the conditions to make this future hotel a reference address, in Greece as well as internationally.
»


A Rich Gastronomic Offering and a Premium Wellness Sanctuary

The culinary experience sits at the heart of the project, with five gastronomic restaurants and four eateries with Mediterranean and international influences, all oriented toward the coastline. Several communal spaces will complement the whole, notably a signature cocktail bar imagined as the resort’s beating heart.

Maud Bailly, CEO of Accor’s luxury brands, underscores that this address sits within the collection’s philosophy by drawing its uniqueness and identity directly from the authenticity of its host territory: MGallery is a collection of hotels where each property draws its identity from its locale. The project we are developing on Rhodes is a fine illustration of this. Its inspiring architecture, its privileged sea-facing location, its wellness approach and the authentic ties it weaves with its destination reflect the expectations of today’s travelers. »

The relaxation component will rest on a substantial 110-square-meter spa housing an indoor pool and a hydromassage pool, where exclusive care rituals will be delivered in partnership with the prestigious Swiss houses Valmont and Swiss Perfection.

The outdoor facilities will comprise fifty private pools scattered across the estate, an outdoor fitness area, sport routes as well as tennis and padel courts.

The project also integrates technologies related to renewable energies.

Greece: Zakynthos’ Shipwreck Beach to Be Expanded to Save Its Iconic Wreck

Navagio Beach, situated on the western coast of Zakynthos Island in Greece, is routinely ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches. This small, secluded cove, framed by towering white limestone cliffs and bordered by intensely blue waters, has even become a emblem of Greek tourism. This fame is not solely due to the island’s natural wonders.

In October 1980, the Panagiotis, a cargo ship carrying contraband cigarettes, ran aground on the beach. Forty years later, the wreck remains. Yet, driven by the force of the waves and the weather, it has been heavily eroded. To protect it, the authorities chose a surprising solution: widening the beach. The cost of the operation is estimated at 3.9 million euros.

Extending the Beach by 30 Metres Toward the Sea

This ambitious project, based on a study carried out gratis by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), aims to add 45,000 m³ of gravel and sediments to push the shore about 30 metres further into the sea. The materials will be transported by barge and deposited along the coastline and on the seabed.

According to the project’s technical description cited by the Greek information site eKathimerini, “backfilling with appropriate sediments constitutes the gentlest form of intervention from the viewpoint of coastal engineering and will help protect the wreck from the action of large waves during winter storms.” Once the wreck is safeguarded, the Zakynthos municipality plans to proceed with its restoration for 2.5 million euros.

A Controversial Project on a Site Still Threatened

Is this solution a lasting one? Asked by the German daily Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), Manolis Vasilakis, a geology professor at the University of Athens, doubts it. The researcher believes this intervention represents a major modification of a natural site and questions the relevance of such expenditure to transport tens of thousands of tonnes of gravel that will be swiftly carried away by the sea.

It is also worth noting that facing the risk of landslides and rockfalls, and after several accidents involving tourists, access to the beach and the boat approach are regularly restricted during the tourist season. In 2026, access to the cove will remain forbidden until October 31. Visitors can only admire the wreck from an elevated platform or at a distance from the sea.

Greece in Its Entirety: Worldia and SKY Express Open Access to Preserved Islands


© Unsplash -  Tânia Mousinho

Top of Travel


SKY Express: the air network that changes everything

Elected “Airline of the Year” by the ERA (European Regions Airline Association) and operator of Greece’s newest fleet — and one of the most modern in Europe — SKY Express has established itself as a benchmark on the regional market. With 33 domestic destinations served (islands and continental towns combined) and 60 destinations in total when including its international network, the airline offers coverage that, for a travel professional, is far more than a broad map: it is the tangible ability to build multi-destination itineraries without overnight stays, with no compromise on the smoothness of the trip.

From France, the airline naturally fits into sales circuits: travelers board from Paris, Lille, Brussels, Nantes, Lyon or Marseille, with direct flights to Athens, Rhodes and Heraklion. The connection with the Athens hub then opens up the entire domestic network, enabling access to archipelagos that many operators still struggle to cover seriously.

For agencies looking to move beyond standardized offers, this kind of connectivity is a valuable resource. It makes viable destinations that were not viable — not because they lacked appeal, but because they lacked perceived accessibility and thus visibility.


Worldia: the most complete Greek offering on the market

On Worldia’s side, the groundwork is solid. The platform has structured an à la carte Greek offering that covers all of continental Greece and nearly all islands open to tourism — that is, more than 55 islands connected by flights and ferries, 2,000 hotels selected from 2 to 5 stars, and 150 activities listed to enrich each stay. An ambit designed to meet all profiles: families seeking tranquil beaches, couples on romantic getaways, budget travelers as well as premium clients in search of authenticity.

What sets this offering apart is both its breadth and its editorial depth. Worldia has developed recommendations for visits, beaches, must-see sites and hidden gems for each destination — those places guides have not yet cited, the ones that make a real difference in a client proposal. The Peloponnese and its ancient ruins facing the sea, the Sporades where some coves remain sheltered from crowds, the Ionian Islands greener and wilder with their relaxed Italianate lifestyle — not to forget those names that intrigue: Astypalea, the butterfly island; Chios and its medieval villages; Kythera the elusive; Leros and its otherworldly ambience — so many regions that the platform has studied in depth, with itineraries available online to help partner travel agencies design seamless combinations between islands and regions, depending on available air or ferry connections. The objective is clear: diversify sales in Greece and give every intermediary the tools to move beyond the catalogue limited to the big, safe bets.


© Unsplash -  Constantinos Kollias


Selling Greece differently, an underutilized sales lever

Over-tourism makes headlines, but it also creates opportunities. More and more travelers are actively seeking to move away from it: they want Greece, not the Santorini sunset queue — but they don’t always know the alternatives. This is precisely where Worldia plays a role. The platform has developed a panel of itineraries and combinations promoting a varied offering, accessible to all budgets, to meet these new expectations: travel off the beaten path, without sacrificing a well-organized stay. Destinations less frequented, suitable for family stays as well as couples’ getaways, that offer that mix of calm, nature and authenticity that the most famous islands struggle to guarantee.

Worldia has crafted a few favorite itineraries — gateways to a destination that has not finished surprising.

Between sea and mountains — Peloponnese reimagined

Monemvasia perched on its rock, the stone villages of Magne, the Byzantine fortresses of Mystras facing a landscape of hills and sea: authentic Peloponnese exists; it simply needed a worthy itinerary to be offered. This 10-day road trip invites you to traverse a wild and luminous territory, far from the mapped routes, where each stop tells an ancient story, starting from Athens. → See the itinerary

Secret Cyclades — Sifnos & Milos, the alternatives that have all the allure of the big names

Mykonos and Santorini saturated? Their neighbors Sifnos and Milos offer an elegant answer. Sifnos, a mountainous jewel with olive valleys and perched monasteries; Milos with its 75 beaches and hidden coves for a no-compromise getaway. An 8-day package tailored for clients who want the Cyclades — without the crowds. → See the itinerary

Head for the Sporades — Skiathos & Skopelos, the archipelago worth getting to know

Skiathos for its paradisiacal beaches and gentle vibe, Skopelos for its authentic charm and landscapes that inspired cinema: this week-long escape in the Sporades ticks all the boxes for a couple seeking nature and picturesque villages, without multiple transfers. Best from June to September. → See the itinerary

The Greece your clients are unknowingly seeking is already here, cataloged, connected, ready to be sold. All that was missing was a serious access to the entire destination. Worldia and Sky Express have built it — now it’s up to you to seize it.



La Grèce dans sa totalité : Worldia et SKY Express ouvrent l'accès aux îles préservées
Worldia

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75009 Paris

Email : [email protected]

Site web : https://corp.worldia.com/

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