BOSTON – The travel agency Around the World, owned by Penny Kokkinou-Hamourgka and based in the historic city of Lowell, MA, at 477 Market Street, has been serving not only the Greek-American community of Lowell but also the wider area since 2001. The establishment serves Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Andover, Billerica, Bedford, Medford, Arlington, Somerville, and has clients as far as away as Boston, as well as north into New Hampshire.

Penny and her associates take care of every detail of the trip and spend countless hours to find the best flights from Boston to Athens and Thessaloniki at the most advantageous prices.

In an interview with The National Herald and responding to questions about the traffic of Greek-Americans to Greece is this year, she said: “We are doing well with the Greek-Americans, but I have to tell you that we have a lot of traffic this year with Americans. When they call us, they want to go to the islands.”

She also said, “the daily direct flight of Delta from Boston to Athens has helped a lot. Initially, it was three times a week.”

When asked if the flow of Greek-Americans to Greece compared to last year is higher, lower, or the same, she said, “I believe there are fewer Greek-Americans,” she said, emphasizing that “the mistake the airlines made was starting ticket prices very high. Those who bought tickets early paid high prices – we’re talking about $1,900 to $2,000 and up, and when the airlines saw they weren’t filling the flights, they reduced them.”

Angelos, Penny’s associate, said that “today the prices range from $1,500 and up,” and Penny added, “basically, they are good prices,” adding that tickets are offered at a reduced price for children under 12 years old only by Scandinavian and Turkish airlines – for all others children pay full fare. Also, for lower prices on Lufthansa and Swiss, passengers are required to purchase tickets one month in advance. If something urgent happens and a Greek-American needs to leave immediately, the ticket price is over $3,000.”

Regarding whether Greek-Americans prefer the direct flight with Delta or other flights with intermediate stops, Penny said, “if, let’s say, their destination is the Peloponnese, they prefer the direct flight.”

Asked about what they are hearing from travelers about Delta’s direct flight, she said, “people are satisfied. First of all, it only takes eight hours to get to Athens. There are no delays.”