Refusing to perpetuate the stereotypes, Athens Walks carved a niche for itself in the tourism industry by offering customers an authentic experience of Greek hospitality—real locals showing visitors the real Athens! Building on existing international interest in Greek history, gastronomy and natural beauty, the company offers a range of unique tours that showcase the best of what Athens has to offer.
Acropolis, Zorba, Feta, Moussaka
Greece’s extensive classical heritage and idyllic islands are both a blessing and a curse. With one too many brochures and postcards picturing ancient ruins, dishes of moussaka and long sandy beaches, modern Athens struggles to find its place in the country’s tourism industry. Realising that most tourists only stop in the country’s capital on their way to the islands—and, even then, only visit the Parthenon—Kostas Chatzivasileiou decided to set up Athens Walks in order to show visitors the real Athens, an undiscovered destination beyond the stereotypes.
Real People, Real City
Athens Walks allows customers to experience contemporary Greek culture and understand the lifestyles and themes of modern Athens. The company boasts an enthusiastic team of licensed guides and tour managers who are passionate about Greek history, nature and cuisine, and who proudly introduce visitors to the city as locals know it. Ancient sites, food markets, art and history museums, neighbourhood tavernas and cafés are all on the agenda, and the friendly staff aim to make customers feel like they’re amongst friends.
A Full Range and Then Some
One of the company’s biggest advantages is its ability to offer tours fully tailored to each customer’s individual needs. In addition to its standard range—which includes historic, gastronomy/food and nature walking tours, a cycling tour along the coast, as well longer excursions and sailing tours—Athens Walks provides fully customized tours that can address the needs of families, couples, older travellers and people with limited mobility. To top it off, tours are available in English, French, German and Chinese.
Date Founded
2011
Number of Employees
10
Markets Where Athens Walks Is Active
Greece, Canada, China, India, South Africa, Tanzania, UAE, UK, USA
Why Athens Walks is Successful
Athens Walks offers a glimpse into real life in the Greek capital that most tourists never get a chance to see. Fully tailored tours, professionalism and a team of knowledgeable locals eager to introduce visitors to their city, has seen the company’s business grow steadily. In just over two years, Athens Walks has made it on to TripAdvisor’s top activities list for Athens with a 5/5 rating, and its customers keep coming back for more.
The Innovative Edge
Whilst, of course, the Parthenon is included in the company’s historic tours, Athens Walks goes off the beaten path and offers to show visitors Athens through the eyes of a local. Going beyond the city’s classical heritage, the company introduces customers to the positive and productive side of contemporary Greece, showing visitors a modern city that combines rich history with a vibrant present, and making Athens a worthy destination in its own right.
Challenges
In a time when Greece, and Athens in particular, is receiving much negative publicity due to the crisis, tourists are often sceptical about touring the capital. Athens Walks counters this by offering customers the opportunity to experience the city beyond the standard tourist-traps and see for themselves what the Greek capital is all about, at the most competitive prices on the market.
Goals for 2013
Athens Walks is constantly working towards expanding its range of tours and, where possible, further improving the quality of available options. It’s goals for 2013 is to increase booking from upcoming markets like China, India and Turkey and to secure incoming tourism from the US, whilst working to promote Greece as one of the safest destinations in Europe.
Athens Walks Is Currently Looking For
Investors, Customers
