Quote from: Topsey on August 01, 2011, 07:14:02 PM
Did anyone else see/complete the tourist questionnaires? We only saw them in Arillas/Theo car rentals, so it may have been a real missed opportunity by the organisers. They should have been in every supermarket & taverna! The questionnaire asked all sorts of questions about Arillas (what's missing, likes, dislikes, safety, beach etc). Our moans were just as I've put on here - oh and the re-installation of showers on the beach (taps were appearing again as we left)
In order to show the local authorities that Arillas is not just another Corfu resort like Roda, Benitses, Paleocastritsa, etc. but a special destination that needs special care and attention.
We have placed in most of the accommodation and restaurants in Arillas questionnaires to be filled by you. Just ask the owners to give you the leaflet and please take a little time ( aprox 2 to 5 minutes) to fill it in.
After the season is finished, the data will be prossesed by a committee from the Ionian University of Corfu and the results will be presented to the people of Arillas and the local representatives of the Corfu local council in various meetings and councils during the winter season.
We hope after this research to be able to officially create the "Arillas profile" so that the businesses and people of Arillas can be advised and steered in the right direction about any development that needs (or doesn't need) to take place in Arillas to ensure that Arillas can offer you everything you want in your holiday
So please give us 5 minutes of your time, ask your property or hotel owner for the questionnaire and take the opportunity to tell us what you prefer in your holiday and fill in our questionnaire.
Our Organisation was founded in February 2011 by 53 business owners of Arillas. The aims of this organisation is to help our area create and maintain a well balanced business environment between the Arillas visitors, the local people and the local authorities.
The places that you will find the questionnaires are the following:
Akti hotel
Marina hotel,
Horizon Hotel
Kaloudis Village,
Arillas car hire
Arkokal travel
Thetis Hotel,
Thomas bungalows,
Brouklis Taverna,
Zambeta Apts
irenevillas Apts
Mathraki Apts,
Rainbow bar,
Tria Adelfia
Nikos Apts,
Villa Monaxia
Doctor;s Surgery
Anna Studios
Marvelous Hotel
Alex Studios
Megalithari Villas
PAradisso and Panorama Villas
Bardis Sun Studios
Athina Apts
Mastrogiannis retreat
ANd some more that I will add as I do nto remember right now
We have produced 1000 pieces to be filled that we will divide through the season
Any chance of an online version Dimitris? for those of us that have been and did not have the opportunity to complete any form of questionnaire.
Thanks Ang
For this year the project will be only in printed version,
It is a decision that is taken from the people of Arillas, as a large number of those do not deal with the internet as well as the the majority of the local counselors.
Dimitris gave us the draft of the questionnaire when we were there in May. Duly completed it along with some extremely tiny amendments.
As I said to Dimitri last week, I think this is a really good thing to do.
Its a shame its taken an economic crisis to bring the Businesses of Arillas together but no business should ever be afraid of exploring what its customers truly think about it. Equally, I hope that those people filling it in give a response warts and all without fear of favour.
If this can be used to map a cohesive future plan for Arillas, highlight the improvements that need to be made to keep Arillas competitive on a world stage, and thats not necessarily cheapest option, then great!
I think we handed ours in, the Accomodation we found very comfortable! :-)
I missed a point though. OCTOBER. Every year the season seems to be getting shorter and shorter. I heard someone talking about closing up in September this year! There is a scool holiday at the end of October and we always have enquiries for this week at least. AT LEAST! What can you say but sorry, you will need a car because everythings shut!
It then becomes self fulfilling, noone will come in October because nothing is open, nothing is open because nobody comes.
The flights are still there and cheap, and the weather is far nicer than at home. Amybe its uneconomical for the biggest places but........
Dimitris
Is this something I can scan and then e-mail to previous visitors for them to scan and e-mail back?
Neill
We would love to do that Eggy. We didn't know/remember about it or would have asked at Bardis Sun.
Phil
Unfortunately I must have missed the opportunity to complete this questionaire when I was at Kaloudis Village in July.
Looking at the comprehensive list of places that supply the questionaire it won't be difficult to find one for me to complete when I am over again in September.
Can I ask are they being displayed prominently or just available on request?
Maybe a notice to advertise the availability of the questionaire in all the hotels, appartments, businesses and tavernas would be a good way of bringing it to everyone's attention.
I have been to Arillas in October 2009 and found a reasonable choice of places to eat. Brouklis, Portofino and the Marina were still open. Shops were open and travel companies were still offering day trips. It's a quiet time and things are winding down but still a good time of year to visit if you prefer a walking holiday. I walked over to Afionas and San George which I would never have been able to do in the main season. The flights are incredibily good value at this time of year and it's a good chance to grab a little sunshine before the Winter. It is still a wonderful place to be.
If we can be of any help at all we owe it to the local people of Arillas to complete this questionaire and give them the information which will enable them to provide a better service.
NOW what would be interesting is if the local businesses of Arillas told US what they would like from the tourists .....better manners, politeness, consideration of their property and fittings, not quishing mossies on the walls of the rooms !!
Just a little thought wouldn't go amiss would it?
Cheers Nan x
Quote from: Eggy on August 03, 2011, 04:44:12 PM
Dimitris
Is this something I can scan and then e-mail to previous visitors for them to scan and e-mail back?
Neill
I have uploaded here.
http://arillas.de/arillas_questionaire.pdf
I;m not sure if the committee will approve this
but we shall give it a go.
We were presented with this questionnaire at Kaloudis in June, and filled it in favourably. The only adverse comment we made was that we would like the return of the ATM.
lynn xx
Quote from: Nan on August 03, 2011, 05:02:22 PM
Can I ask are they being displayed prominently or just available on request?
The Property and hotel owners have been given the questionnaires at the beginning of June.
It's up to the property owner how to promote it.
As you know, we filled one in which we picked up at Theo's but we didn't see any at Kaloudis, where we stayed (although we only went into the bar a couple of times).
It's a really good idea - so long as people are sensible & reasonable. You always get a few who moan and moan and moan.....!
Dimitris
Thank you for your reply to my request for information about the promotion of the questionaire.
Good to see you have taken the initiative and uploaded the questionaire format. I hope you receive many responses.
Thanks again
Nan
Dimitris that is excellent I can now complete and forward....to who I dont know but I will chat with Eggy about it .
Thanks
Ang
Thank you for the update Dimitris. I have printed off a copy and will forward it when complete. I think it's an excellent idea. Didn't see the Bardis Sun Hotel on the list. Do I send it to you? I hope to be back in Arillas in September/October, I could bring it with me then, if its not too late.
Yammas,
Martin.
I have to agree with Corfusoon about the early closing during October We often come for the first 3 weeks in October and sure enough many places start to close down and it is quite depressing by the start of the 3rd week. To exemplify the situation it is just as bad for those of us who come early May. We often come for the first 3 weeks and again many places do not open until the 3rd week which is very disappointing. I realise that the owners worry about having to pay staff etc. with very few cutomers, but I worry about the people that come for the first time at that time of year and October who will go home saying "there is nothing open and we will never go there again" An exaggeration of the facts I know but I have heard it said. If the owners are not careful their season will end up being June to September and have to earn enough to last them for 12 months in just four months. In addition there are those peole who come outside of the school holidays deliberately or have their holiday dates dictated by their employers and they again may choose eventually to go elsewhere. Those of us that have been coming to Arillas for man many years will of course still go but as we all get older (and much older in my case) we shall be a dying breed. We all love Arillas and the wonderful people who make our holidays so wonderful and I only put this forward in the hope of improving things for them as well as us.
JohnJ
" If the owners are not careful their season will end up being June to September and have to earn enough to last them for 12 months in just four months."
Thanks John. You put my point better than I.
think i was am honoured to have been the 1st to have filled in the questionaire,back in june whilst in brouklis with dimitris and vasillis from arkokal,and youg spiros with mummy putting the stamps on the pages lol,,,good times ,,yammas
You may be, Kevin, but it's possible I beat you!! ;)
Yammas,
lynn xx
All filled in, what a great idea,we were given ours at the bar in Kaloudis by Vasilis.
At the end of 2011's season, I hope the authorities are busy reflecting on all we have all said in the questionnaire. Arillas is quite different to other North West resorts. All of them are beautiful, but none have the special character which makes Arillas unique.
It is nothing to do with level of service, you get this in nearly all cases, wherever you go in NW Corfu. For people on holiday it offers a mile of beach (that needs, and is largely maintained by local families, but could do with more clearing by the authorities.) And it is safe for young families.
It offers complete peace if you want it, but also some partying if you want that too. There is a range of accommodation that serves most needs (maybe some more single rooms or disabled facilities needed? I have read posts about those.) It has some of the best chefs/cooks in the island, and the food is affordable and to die for. All by the hands of our local hosts.
That doesn't mean it needs no support. It could easily look after double or more in the majority of the season, if it gets just the right support. But the marketing is patchy, and I get the feeling that the tour operators are still treating it, and us "tourists" badly. The truth is that you will be part of the family if you want it, like Jen and me, or served professionally and courteously, advised, helped and looked after, without needing to be us.
There is very little point asking us lot (the forum, Facebook, the quieter regulars....) We already know what Arillas means to us and we all want to promote its long term success. We only gripe about the ATM and buses.
But a bit of Municipal support to maintain the look and feel would be a start. And a marketing campaign which recognises how unique an asset Arillas is to Corfu.
Phil
Just a brief reply to Phil's post. I agree Arillas is not like any other resort. It has a very homely and special feel about it. It is the only place I feel comfortable enough to visit alone
Mary :)
I don't want Arillas to change, I just want it to become more prosperous,
and to do this it needs more and better marketing as Phil says.
I noticed Thomsons seem to be giving a better description in their on line promotions this year and have awarded both Mathraki and Kaloudis accolades for the new season, so if Thomas Cook follow this trend maybe Arillas will get a little more advertising and put it back in the public eye, as not everyone uses a computer to book their holidays, so many people never see the independent accommodation that is available as well.
Val x
I agree Phil, Mary and ValnBill. Like Mary, I feel it's a place I can go alone and feel totally safe and 'at home' thanks to it's unique character and wonderful friendly people.
On the plane coming back we all had a long questionnaire from Thomson Holidays asking us where we had stayed and whether we went 'independent' or as a package, to name and rate our accommodation and resort. I have just received another email from Thomson asking similar questions, again asking for info on accommodation etc. even if I went 'independently'. Makes me think they are looking to expand their business on Corfu, as there are a lot of people still going there. As long as they pay the hosts a reasonable rate/guest!
We'll see what happens in the new deals next year.
Martin.