The Dodecanese island of Karpathos is attracting a lot of attention in the UK media ahead of this year’s World Travel Market London, which takes place on November 6-8.

The excited buzz around the island has been building following the publication of a number of glowing reviews from popular travel blogs, including the acclaimed HoneyTrek website. 

Award-winning travel bloggers Anne and Mike Howard, who hold the record for the “world’s longest honeymoon,” have been continuously traveling since 2012, visiting 74 countries on all seven continents. Specializing in couples adventure travel, and writing a bestselling book for National Geographic, “Ultimate Journeys for Two,” the pair have amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

During their visit to the Dodecanese islands, they explored Rhodes, Chalki, and Karpathos, spending time “kayaking to ancient ruins, scuba diving with schools of tuna, [and] taking cooking classes in traditional villages.” 

Praising Karpathos’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly tourism, the couple were in awe of its beautiful beaches and serene mountain villages. As such, Anne and Mike ranked the Dodecanese islands sixth in their list of the world’s most romantic and sustainable destinations.

In addition to Karpathos and the Dodecanese, the list includes destinations in French Polynesia, Costa Rica, Bhutan, Slovenia and Mexico. 

Increasing popularity

In another article on Karpathos, Silver Travel Advisor, the UK’s leading travel agent for the over 50s, praised the island “with its 300 churches, 200 beaches, 125 miles of hiking paths and eight months of glorious sunshine,” adding that it has been a “matriarchal society for thousands of years.” The travel company, which specializes in holiday packages for mature travelers, lauded the island’s incredible history, traditional cuisine, and music.

The Tourism Committee of the Municipality of Karpathos has been working hard to promote the island to travel journalists and bloggers in recent months, working in close collaboration with a specialized marketing company. In addition, Karpathos has recently hosted an international production team, filming a series of photo shoots in various parts of the island, with the full logistical and administrative support of the Municipality.

As a result of these efforts, tourism to the island has increased. In the period June-August 2023, the Municipality noted a 10.24% increase in air arrivals compared to the same period in 2022, while this September has seen a 7% increase compared to last year.

Source: AMNA (Athens-Macedonia News Agency)