smc a end EPR a PEO ERO . _ TOURISTS TURNED OFF _Rhodes doesn’t bo _. of colosus prices Rh RHODES, Greece (AP) — Rising fuel and labor costs - have tumed into higher hotel and meal prices on “Rhodes Island, and many tourists have turned elsewhere, ; But that hasn't robbed this Aegean holiday playground of its claim to more sunshine - than any other resort-in the - world. - Hotelers say their price increases of up to 50 per cent, are necessary, but they have - ent a corresponding 5(-percen drop in pookngs. And different people are Ci —fewer Scandinavians and other Europeans seeking econ- omy-class accommodations, but more of the wealthier Americans and Ja on the island in. April, compared with 22,000 last ear, said Nondas lounias, president of the home. 4 nese. | There were 11,000 tourists. weather, beaches and natural beauty and its combination of cosmopolitan and cultural le. While super-1 parallel _ the requented . Casino, the island also boasts Ancient Greek sites, a Venetian castle surrounding a bustling medieval city, and minimumpriced package holidays which make it cheaper for the European or American than staying at H are being pinned on the International Airport which poe into operation at the end of May asthe largest in the country, Rhodes officials say. , The airport, a $30-million investment considered necessary since 95 per cent of the tourists fly in, has a 3,600 yard ‘runway. apable of taking the Concorde or any other plane. It can hotels - ‘tycoon- - noise problem “has ~been. eliminated. . RATES STILL LOW . Tzannis Geronikolas, president of the Rhodes, ravel Associatior; said’ that,. despite the--piice increases, it only costs North Americans $500 for a package two-week holiday. “Four years ago it was only $350 but it is stil cheaper than a domestic flight alone within the United States,” Geronikolas contended. . - One thing has remained 1 unchanged: ‘the sunshine: The weather bureau lists © Rhodes as averaging 133 sunshine hours in the lowest month of December and 388 hours in the July peak. ‘The sunshine was mentioned in mythology: when Zeus, god of gods, defeated his opponents and- started sharing out the. world, he forgot to give a ~ THE TOWNSMAN, Thursday, July 28, 1977, PAGE 5 | _ > THEATRE {BQ Pps Hidden ‘somewhere in the ats ‘in the entertainment section are two Terrace phone numbers. | ema Find them, and if one is yours you've won. “Pick up your tickets at the Herald office, : 3212 Kalum St eC eA Fustw’ “fe ate | 4720 Laketrc