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Post by artisans on Aug 27, 2018 8:54:13 GMT 2
On two sides of where we stay in Roda, are apartments with patios where families & friends gather throughout the summer. They come together, in groups of perhaps a dozen or more, to enjoy a relaxing alfresco meal every evening of their stay. It is so good to see them spending time together when one considers the demands of modern life back at home, wherever that may be. It may be the only opportunity they have in the whole year when they can enjoy each other's company in this way. They are mostly Dutch, Italian, British & French, they are on holiday in Roda, they have a great time and they will be back. The way they spend their evenings is their choice ... if we deny them these choices, then they will go elsewhere.
Steve
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Post by laurence on Aug 27, 2018 9:08:43 GMT 2
Indeed it would Wendy. What I was originally saying was that I witness carloads of eastern Europeans arriving with their food and drink for the duration of their stay, cooking and drinking in their apartments and not putting anything into the Roda economy other than hiring a sunbed. My original concern was that Roda cannot survive on sunbeds alone. I readily appreciate that people with kids have a certain budget but those that I see and know also contribute to the Roda families. If they don't get an income over the short season that they have they will suffer. I know that Steve says that the actual season is now longer. That may be in date time but not in the amount of people coming to spend money. We usually go back for a holiday in Roda in the first week in October where we see places starting to close for the season. Why? because there is a lack of tourists. I choose to go for 5-6 weeks because I have worked all my life and managed to save some money to enjoy in my retirement. maybe you will be able to do the same someday but I doubt if Brexit will help you do so at least that is my considered opinion.
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Post by artisans on Aug 27, 2018 9:37:38 GMT 2
The lengthening season does not spread existing customers over a longer time. We all have our favourite times to visit Roda, due to work or family commitments, or simply because that's when it suits us to travel. I believe that most of us will stick to our favourite months and Roda can attract new visitors during the additional weeks. It could also be that tour operators will induce those with lower budgets to travel at these times.
The examples I gave in an earlier post was advice given to someone coming with a €50 per day budget. It's achievable, but they will have to be frugal. Should we tell them that it's not enough, we don't want their €50, and that they should stay at home? They certainly won't be able to go out drinking every night, or even afford sunbeds, but Roda could still give them a holiday to remember.
I do know that many late-season travellers come here on an 'allocate-on-arrival' basis, with local reps ringing around at the last minute to see who has stayed open. If businesses in Roda stay open, they will get a slice of that market.
This year, the early season saw the north of the island come alive with endless groups of hikers & cyclists - there have always been a few, but 2018 saw a big increase over a longer period. The possibility of winter flights is attractive to many, regardless of the risk of bad weather. These are all opportunites if we want them.
Steve
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Post by wendyb on Aug 27, 2018 11:46:12 GMT 2
We have a caravan, we use it for a lot of weekends away in the UK. We usually cook our meals al fresco and chill outside with a beer or two. We took it to France last year and took a lot of our own food with us, topping up in the local stores. Didn’t bother taking drink as the wine and beer choice is excellent over there. We only ate out twice. At the moment we’re in Tenerife, in an apartment, have eaten out every day. We would love to go away for longer than a fortnight but unfortunately Work won’t let us, not to mention boarding kennel costs for our dogs. It’s horses for courses, isn’t it. We also have an old retro motorhome and one day we will bring it to Roda, easier than towing the caravan there- . As for Eastern Europeans (or whoever) not contributing to the economy, it’s only the same as when people go on day trips, weekends in the U.K. and take picnics with them, surely? Or just go out for a mooch to enjoy the beach. Regarding Brexit, that’s a whole different argument. I voted as I saw fit. The consequences of Brexit are yet to be fully sorted, and we’ll deal with them as and when/if they happen.
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Post by laurence on Aug 27, 2018 12:42:35 GMT 2
Well what can I say Steve only to apologies to all and sundry for giving you the opportunity to pontificate over others opinion. You will never agree with anyone's opinion other than your own. I saw hikers and I saw bikers but I didn't see either contributing to the Roda economy. maybe I blinked and missed it whenever it was. 50 euro a day - wow. One can live well on that. No need to be frugal in Roda Where do you spend 50 euros a day Steve? I could do with the tips. Roda prices have barely increased in 4 years. The restaurant and bar owners have kept their prices low for so long it hurts them to do so.
Wendyb I wish you well on your travels. If I could do that I would but I am too old now. Only want to get to Roda for a long soak in the sun. maybe I could go to Roda for Christmas by taking 3 flights (true) but will there be anyone around. I don't think so.
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Post by artisans on Aug 27, 2018 15:14:19 GMT 2
I am always prepared to be influenced by other people’s opinions, Laurence, as long as they are meaningful, carefully considered, well-stated and inoffensive. Yours are none of those things so I’ll stick my own for now.
For many years, most visitors seem to have budgeted €100 per day for two people. So, €50 is going to be tight, allowing them, as Wendy says, to eat out a couple of times during their stay and cater for themselves as much as possible. If we assume that there are say 2,000 people staying in Roda at any one time in August, and from what businesses are telling us about half of them are other nationalities on tight budgets, but spending up to €50 per day on something, then if we turn them away Roda could be €1.5 million euros worse off in one month alone. They may not be spending on beer & skittles, but €50 is not to be sniffed at.
The hikers & bikers contribute to Corfu’s economy as much as anyone else. If we want their money, then we should encourage them to come to Roda. Not that it’s any of your business, Laurence, but we contribute about €40 per day to the island, not including what I spend on the village website. Don’t forget that some of this includes the times we’re not even here. It’s quite a lot over the year.
There are lots of people around in the winter, including us … if you do make it, we’ll even buy you a drink. As for being too old, you’re younger than I am!
Steve
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Post by wendyb on Aug 27, 2018 15:37:12 GMT 2
To be perfectly honest, we could get by on 50€ per day, but only just. Evening meal with wine around 25-30€ only leaves 20€ to cover breakfast and/or lunch. Not to mention ice cream, snacks, maybe a beer in the afternoon. Add on maybe sunbeds and it’s gone. And that’s only two of us. Take into account a family with a couple of kids, ice cream, pop, etc and your 50€ is blown straight out of the water. So I can see why families (or anyone on a tight budget) would self cater. There’s been times in the past where we’ve gone and bought a cooked chicken, boiled up pasta, chucked a jar of sauce over the top and had a get together with friends on someone’s balcony instead of eating out. So I think that whatever people spend in the village, even if it’s only 10€, it’s more than if they weren’t there at all. Not to mention they’ll probably recommend to friends who may then visit and contribute another little bit. Personally I think that the main thing most likely to damage the Corfiot economy currently (no, not Brexit!) is the realest bush problem, which although isn’t really evident in Roda itself must be having a serious impact on first impressions for new visitors to Corfu as a whole. If people stop coming full stop they’ll be spending bugger all, not just in Roda, but all over. EDIT: Of course what I meant to say was rubbish problem. Wtf is a realist bush anyway? Does one even exist- b****y predictive text lol.
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Post by laurence on Aug 27, 2018 15:37:54 GMT 2
Thanks but no thanks. I always buy my own. There you go pontificating again Steve. I have, as many others do, have a considered opinion which ARE meaningful and carefully considered. I always say if the shoe fits then wear it. You can stick to your own. It is of no consequence to me. I know Roda and its people well enough and maybe better than you but then you will disagree with that. Nobody's opinion matters only yours Steve and that will never change. I really don't want to listen or read you rantings any more. If you can do me a last favour - delete my name from the Forum.
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Post by artisans on Aug 27, 2018 17:58:24 GMT 2
It's a public forum, Laurence, you're free to come & go as you choose. Do whatever you have to ...
Steve
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Post by artisans on Aug 27, 2018 18:12:23 GMT 2
Yes Wendy, if you mean the rubbish problem, then I do agree. Not all of us can ignore it and many get so impassioned that they let it spoil their holiday. Management has improved over the last couple of months and, unless you venture outside the village, you may be unaware of the issue.
I have no idea what the answer might be, and I can only trust that it will be resolved to some extent over the winter period. As one of the busiest holiday islands, Corfu contributes enormously to the Greek government. People seem to feel that not enough of the money collected in taxes finds its way back to the island, but goes to the EU to pay off debts. The EU, effectively, calls the shots. They must see that Athens depends on islands like Corfu, and enough noise has been made at this end. Something needs to give!
With tourism on the increase, and over-tourism affecting many major destinations, Corfu needs a solution before next year.
Steve
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Post by wendyb on Aug 28, 2018 0:50:02 GMT 2
Realist bush?? b****y predictive text! Yes, I meant rubbish.
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Post by artisans on Aug 29, 2018 8:46:44 GMT 2
Yummies has been so popular this year, that Nikos & Louise told us recently that, by popular demand, they will be opening at weekends throughout the winter.
Steve
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Aug 29, 2018 11:47:28 GMT 2
gOOD FOR THEM sTEVE...I often popped in for a pancake, very yummy !!!!
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