More demand for summer holidays in Rhodes

Summer holidays on the Greek island of Rhodes are proving a popular option this year, the local tourist board has revealed.

A number of factors have contributed to the increase in demand for travel to the destination, including overbooking and higher prices at hotels in nearby Turkey, and recent unrest in Tunisia and parts of Egypt.

Several accommodation establishments are opening early this month to cater for increasing interest in Rhodes holidays during the spring season.

Hotels traditionally begin welcoming guests in May, but many have decided to bring forward this year's opening following a ten per cent increase in bookings.

Tom Panagos, PR manager for Rhodes Tourism in the UK, said: "The recent developments in other Mediterranean countries are making people rediscover old favourites.

"Although Rhodes is a well-established destination for the UK market, our product is anything but tired."

Holidays to the island proved a popular option among Britons last year, with the number of arrivals from the UK growing by 7.5 per cent to more than 267,000.