00:01There is nowhere quite like Halkidiki, locals like to say.
00:05For Greeks the region has long been a favorite holiday destination, not only summer but throughout the year,
00:10particularly for weekend getaways.
00:12The latest figures however suggest that many Europeans share their enthusiasm.
00:16More than 1 million international tourists are estimated to have visited Halkidiki in 2025
00:20and these years numbers are expected to be similar if not higher.
00:23Even images of the major wealth fire in the region had no discernible impact on tourist arrival
00:28with traffic showing not the slightest decline in the days that followed.
00:31The profile of visitors to the region has also changed dramatically in recent years.
00:35Geopolitical developments have led to a sharp decline in the number of Russian tourists,
00:39many of whom traditionally combined a holiday in Halkidiki with a visit to Mount Athos.
00:43Their absence however has already been offset not only by growing numbers of visitors from neighboring Balkan countries
00:49but also, and increasingly, by tourists from Western Europe.
00:52I am here at Sunny Beach, it's beautiful, the sea is splendid, the people are wonderful,
00:59it's good, there are a lot of shops, a lot of experiences to do, it's a wonderful place, I don't
01:07know what to say.
01:08I will return next year.
01:09We love Halkidiki, me and my family going around the island, seeing all the scenery.
01:14It's a very beautiful place and that's why we come back every year for around two weeks.
01:19We like hiking around the forests, you know, very beautiful natural scenery and then seeing the sea,
01:24the water is very warm and enjoyable and clear and yeah, it's just a great place to be.
01:30I absolutely love it. I've been here before, nine years ago and I think it's just one of the best
01:35places in Greece.
01:36I love it very much and it's changed a lot. In nine years it's grown, it's very beautiful, it's a
01:42great place for the summer.
01:44It's a very nice trip here, one of the most beautiful trips we had.
01:48The beach is wonderful, I would compare it to the Maldives.
01:51I've never been on the Maldives, but I'll show you the same thing.
01:54We came here because we usually go to Italy, to the beach, but it's too crowded and here it was
02:01just perfect.
02:01Also the weather was amazing. We found great weather, great food and the beaches is just amazing.
02:09We really like it and enjoy it a lot.
02:13Οι φημισμένες παραλίες της Χαλκιδικής αποτελούν κορυφαίο καλοκαιρινό τουριστικό προορισμό,
02:18όχι μόνο για τους κατοίκους της Βόρειας Ελλάδας, αλλά και των Βαλκανίων γενικότερα.
02:22Ωστόσο, τα τελευταία χρόνια υπάρχουν και πάρα πολλοί επισκέπτες από την Αγγλία, τη Γαλλία, τη Γερμανία, την Ιταλία,
02:29ακόμα και από τις Ηνωμένες Πολιτές της Αμερικής.
02:32Από την παραλία Σάνη της Χαλκιδικής, για το Geuronews, Γιάννης Γιαγκίνης.
02:45The first edition staged in the Middle East, will bring 32 national teams to Doha.
02:50Four years ago, this was Al-Janoob Stadium hosting matches at the FIFA World Cup.
02:56Now it's Al-Janoob Arena, transformed for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup,
03:02with the first action on the hardwood coming up next week when Qatar hosts China in a World Cup qualifier.
03:09Designed by the late visionary architect Zaha Hadid, Al-Janoob hosted seven matches during the 2022 World Cup.
03:17Its distinctive design was inspired by the sales of traditional dhow boats and Qatar's maritime heritage.
03:23The football pitch is now gone, replaced by an indoor basketball arena with seating for 8,200 fans.
03:30This is the legacy that Qatar is always talking about.
03:34Turning some infrastructure and some facilities and venues from one tournament to another tournament
03:41and making use of that is sustainable, it's legacy for the country.
03:46Much of the original structure remains, but new seating now surrounds the court.
03:50The roof has been enclosed and a giant screen hangs above center court.
03:55Al-Janoob will be one of four arenas staging 92 games from August 27th to September 12th next year.
04:02And organizers say basketball will bring its own energy.
04:05The dynamic vibes that basketball carries with it, it's unique.
04:11For Qatar, it's another major international sporting event and a new chapter for one of the landmarks of 2022.
04:19Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
04:24Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
04:25Siren, Euronews, Doha.
09:15you're doing today, eh?
10:02Well, we don't loan the girl with a pearl earring, because she is our most important and precious painting, not
10:11only to the Maretshuis, but also to the Netherlands.
10:14But due to construction work and renovation work, the museum will be closed for one and a half month.
10:21And that's the reason, and the only reason, why she can travel.
10:46There were many parties involved, and also many countries wishing her to have in their country, like Korea, China, Singapore.
10:57But we chose Japan, for Japan has a huge amount of fans, and they really love Vermeer, they love the
11:06girl with the pearl earring.
11:08And the amount of visitors coming from Japan every year to the Maretshuis is so large.
11:15So we thought, if one country deserves the girl, it should be Japan.
11:37You're welcome.
11:38You're welcome.
11:38You're welcome.
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