Hellenic Duty Free and Athens Airport show the true Greek spirit

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Martin Moodie
Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.

I am tired of hearing negative things about Greece. I am tired of reading inaccurate and negative headlines in the British press that are deterring tourists in their tens of thousands each week from visiting the country – thus piling more agony on those that suffer most during an economic calamity of this nature, the people.

Having spent an amazing couple of days in Athens last weekend, I am bound for the country once more this weekend, to Rhodes (home of my Kiwi and Moodie Report colleague Colleen Morgan and her family), Halki and Symi – Paradise islands all. This time it’s holiday, not (pleasant) work, though I suspect an interim Moodie Report bureau or two will open (early mornings at least) overlooking the clear blue waters of the Aegean.

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So to continue in my positive Greek spirit, I must compliment Athens International Airport and its commercial partners, particularly Hellenic Duty Free Shops (Dufry) for the breadth and vibrancy of the redeveloped offer there. Dufry is simply in world-class form here, a really great example to the rest of the global giant’s portfolio. There’s a superb Greek gourmet offer (right up there with the best in the business); an excellent combination of traditional duty free shopping (Greek and international brands nicely balanced) and specialist stores (Victoria’s Secret courtesy of Agora Trading a stand-out); and a very good mix of food & drinks outlets.

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I’ll let the pictures tell the story (sorry the iPhone 5 doesn’t have the best camera) but I only wish that more travelers would let their own eyes do the telling this summer.

One man who does is Daniel Swarovski Corp Vice President Travel Retail Peter Zottl, who has just returned from a visit to Athens International Airport where the company recently opened an excellent Swarovski shop-in-shop in the impressive Extra Schengen area.

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After reading my Blog, Peter wrote to me: “The Olive Tree [pictured below] at Dufry’s great Greek gourmet shop is the right & fitting symbol for the Greek people’s resilience and sturdiness! They will never give in!”

Indeed they won’t. Perhaps it’s time for Europe, and certainly its outbound tourists, to hand an olive branch back to Greece.

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[Now that’s what I call the spirit of the Greek people]

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Mastiha

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[Well, there’s only one answer to that question isn’t there?]

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  • Dear Martin,

    Great article, have to say I agree with you about Dufry and all the great new shops they have! I visited them all when I was there in March and was pretty impressed.
    I wish you have a wonderful holiday, as always 🙂

    Enjoy
    Joanna