If you have a quick look at the forum stats you'll see that in May this year there have been over 1300 posts, compare that to June last year when there were 15!! After talking to Dimitris at the weekend he mentioned that the site as a whole is getting up to and over 1300 hits a day and now has over 1000 registered members.
For a website dedicated to such a small holiday resort as Arillas this is a remarkable achievement and is a testament to the community that has been developed here and the hard work that Dimitris puts it to keep things going, its not like he has other things to do, especially in summer. I think everyone deserves congratulations for all the information and humour that is provided on here and for the whole spirit of the site, most forums degenerate into people flaming each other and all the threads end up with posters arguing, to this day I can count on one hand when this has happened. This is also one of the best forums I have seen for new posters to join and get involved, I have helped moderate a few forums in the past and the community on this one is one of the best I have seen, not once I have I seen someone attacked for posting a question another person deemed pointless.
It only takes a second to see some of the good that has come from this site, getting the cash machine in Arillas was no doubt helped by the overwhelming support on this site, the general outcry at transfer times with Thomas Cook was not ignored and this site was actually mentioned, now we go Sidari, San Stefanos and Arillas missing out Roda and Achavari, I'm sure other operators have taken note. Also the availability of the Internet and especially the wireless network has no doubt been inspired by the popularity of this site, I could go on.
Once a website develops a strong community its popularity usually explodes so I think we can expect a busy summer with lots of new faces which will be good all round, wonder how many posts there will be in May 2008?
Very well said Joe :)
Yes, excellently put, Joe!
i wholeheartedly agree
Wow that is quite a difference in posts isnt it! Dimitris was saying to us about how much more popular the site is, which can only be a good thing!
Well put Joe :-)
I agree too! Well said Joe, thanks for putting it into words and reminding us of how much hard work goes in behind the scenes.
This forum is absolutely without doubt the friendliest forum I have had the pleasure of belonging too.
What is the saying about treating people nicely and it's returned ten fold? Well I think thats what happens on this forum, we treat people kindly and don't scare them away. But the real originators of this theory of mine are the people of Arillas who with their friendliness ensure that we come back again and again.
Eileenxx
I agree with you Eileen, and it's so good to be able to log on every day, and find loads of reading. I can remember when days passed without any posts!! I think everybody better stop posting for 3 weeks while I'm away, cos it'll take me weeks to catch up again...
If a website offers helpful information in one place then people will use it.
I discovered this site fairly recently through a link on the Corfu Forum, which is also good, though we're very lucky to have a site dedicated to relatively small place such as Arillas and regular stalwarts who keep it alive and well.
Full marks to Dimitris, who I look forward to meeting next week (yippee!)
By the way. the sun is cracking the pavements in Whitley Bay today, honest!
John
I know what you mean Maggie, i still havent read all the posts i missed yet, theres so many and i was only gone a week!
If you miss it for one day there are reams of posts to read now.... I need to get a coffee first before I start reading and get settled!
Its nice though, i enjoy reading them all.
Not long for you now Sue, 24 days, thats soon come round hasnt it, i bet youre getting excited??
Can't wait! I was going to go through my box of "holiday goodies" today and check I have got everything and make a list so I dont double up on things... I need to get my hair booked in too (and the rest of me will turn up I expect).. Counting down now. Lynda (who is coming with us) were chatting yesterday about all the things we must do. I am sorting out my music today for my MP3 player, my son is helping me out as I get confused downloading it all. Getting well excited now.
Joe, very well put - it's such a lovely forum! Did you think of this post when you were in Burger King?!!
Hey! I cant keep up! everytime I go and read something someone else has posted more and I feel I am on a "hamsters wheel" and cant get off....
I was going to post in Burger King but the Wireless Network was unavailable, looks like Dimitris has some competition...
Ha ha, know just what you mean Sue - I logged on yesterday and couldn't get off it for hours !!!
I have to say that thanks to this website I have introduced a number of people to the delights of Corfu & Arillas.
Last year my husband encouraged his work colleagues to stay in the Bardis booking through Corfu Escape, I myself have encouraged my mom to visit Arillas this year, and I have a colleague who is going to Aghios Georgis next week, and thanks to this site they are going to make sure they visit Arillas whilst they are there.
So the website is promoting Arillas and encouraging business to the area, without ruining its charm.
Well done Dimitris (& thanks for pointing it out Joe).
Here's to many more members and posts.
An excellent post Joe. Thanks for putting so eloquently what we all think about the Arillas Forum. I have to say that it is the best medicine I could have all year round to stave off the UK depression.
Hels Bells - like you I am (cautiously!!) selling Arillas to my friends. I had a long phone call yesterday from a work colleague to whom I had given the website address over a year ago. He is on holiday and said, due to the awful weather, he and his wife had spent 3 days on the computer looking for a 2 week holiday in August. They couldn't find anywhere that they would rather try than Arillas and I'm now longing to know where they have booked!!
PLEASE keep writing everyone (ALL year round) - every little bit of news and info is much appreciated by many.
Fiona
Well said Joe first class post you put into words what everyone thinks about this super forum. Also again a big thankyou to Dimitris for keeping it all going.
Reading all the posts makes it feel like being on holiday and talking about holidays, to all the galini gang our tickets arrived today. Now it realy dos feel like the holiday is stating see youall on the 25th
Peter & Evie
I have recommended Arillas and this forum to a lot of people, whenever holidays are mentioned I always end up talking about Arillas ( cant help it). my only concern is that it might just change a little to much and lose so much of it's charm, Hope not .
Yammas
Compared to most resorts I have visited the locals seem to have a lot of input into Arillas so any changes that do occur tend to be for the better.
Long may it continue to be this way. Viv
Indeed a BIG! pat on the back to us all,and maybe a drink or 2 for a reward.