PRESS RELEASE
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Information of the cruise visitors and survey conducted by
KALAMATA: 21
An information and survey campaign was conducted by KALAMATA: 21
Candidacy Office, during the departure of the cruise ship “Tomson Majesty”
on July 2, 2015. The visitors were asked by the volunteers of KALAMATA:21
about the things that they liked and didn’t like in Kalamata as well as about
the amount of money they spent in the local market during their stay in our
city on July 2, 2015 from 07.00 until 15.00.
From the mini survey, the main positive elements of Kalamata are the
city’s beauty, its modern image, the combination of mountain and sea, the
hospitality, its friendly residents and the tasteful food.
The places visited were the port, the beach, the marina, the central square,
the historic center, the park with the open air railway museum, churches
(Ypapanti and Anastasi), while some of the visitors preferred the museums
(e.g. Military Museum) in which they were enchanted by the tour. Moreover,
they felt quite safe walking by the pavement of Faron Street leading to the
city center.
Coming from the northern countries (mainly from the United Kingdom) they
enjoyed the fine weather, the clean and warm sea and the local food and
beers. The friendly attitude, the politeness and the hospitality of the local
residents also impressed the tourists.
Municipal Cultural Center
T: (+30) 2721181030
Aristomenous 33, 24100
M: info@kalamata21.eu
Kalamata, Greece
W: www.kalamata21.eu
The main characteristics attributed to Kalamata were “quiet, hospitable,
seaside
town,
nice,
modern,
clean,
flat,
with
beautiful
landscapes
(combination of the mountain and the sea), cheap”. They also referred to
the general culture of the city, the peace and its beauty, characteristics that
forced someone to mention that he would surely recommend Kalamata for
the European Capital of Culture in 2021!
On the other hand, some elements identified by the tourists as negative
were:
1. The sings of the streets in the old town.
2. The lack of public toilets (or information about their location).
3. The graffiti in the streets.
4. The absence of map/ leaflet with bus routes.
5. In some cases the service (the lack of knowledge of English, ignoring
customers).
6. The smoking in cafes and restaurants while eating.
However, it worth mentioning that many of the tourists, when asked what
they did not like in Kalamata, immediately answered “nothing” and they
justified their answer by stating that they enjoyed a lot their visit in
Kalamata, or that they remained for a short period of time, in which they
were not able to identify the negative aspects of the city.
As immediate and easy to do actions, the Candidacy Office recommends:

The distribution of a map showing the bus routes.

Signs on the map of tourist information points within the port, at the
beach and the historic center, as well as sings of other relevant and
Municipal Cultural Center
T: (+30) 2721181030
Aristomenous 33, 24100
M: info@kalamata21.eu
Kalamata, Greece
W: www.kalamata21.eu
useful information (public toilets, points for the supply of foreign
press, ATM points etc.).

A comprehensive promotion of the museums and the sites of interest
in the city.
The average amount of money spent by the tourist (from 07.00 till 15.00) is
approximately 28 euros per couple.
Finally, the visitors took some photos with the volunteers of KALAMATA: 21,
wished us good luck and assured us that they will come back! KALAMATA:
21 Candidacy Office will hold again similar campaigns in order to inform
visitors and to collect valuable information.
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For further information, please contact:
The Candidacy Office is the independent body which is
responsible for bidding for the title of European Capital
of Culture in 2021 on behalf of the city of Kalamata.
The Candidacy Office is an administrative structure of
"FARIS" the Municipal Corporation of Public Benefit.
The Candidacy Office is set up by the agreement
between the
Municipality of
Kalamata, Municipal
Cultural Center of Kalamata and “FARIS”, with executive and operational autonomy
of the Municipality of Kalamata and "FARIS”. The mission of KALAMATA:21 is
Kalamata to become European Capital of Culture in 2021.
Municipal Cultural Center
T: (+30) 2721181030
Aristomenous 33, 24100
M: info@kalamata21.eu
Kalamata, Greece
W: www.kalamata21.eu