At the recent Tourism Panorama exhibition, shipping firms and hoteliers’ unions presented the new season’s special offers, which can represent considerable savings on summer holidays.

Hellenic Seaways, for example, has a frequent traveler program which offers discounts of 10 to 20 percent for purchases of 20 to 40 tickets. Aegean Speed Lines offers a 20 percent discount on return tickets to Serifos, Sifnos, Milos and Folegandros until May 31.

Minoan Lines and ANEK not only have discounts on domestic voyages, but offer attractive package deals on its routes to Italy, including a 20 percent discount for the under-26 age group, 10 percent for those over 60 and for family groups.

The Rethymnon Hoteliers’ Association has contracts with ANEK Lines, with a 20 percent discount for holidaymakers (and their cars) booking accommodation from a list of the association’s members (www.rethymnon.gr) and travel on ANEK ships. On the island of Lesvos, a group of eight hotels was offering up to 30 percent discounts on walk-in room prices, expected to continue into non-peak seasons.

A major hotel chain on the islands of Rhodes and Crete offers individual passengers its “All Inclusive” package for an extra 30 euros, covering 6 nights’ accommodation, American-style breakfast buffet and full board (including drinks), two theme nights with free drinks, sun lounges, unlimited coffee and drinks at certain hours of the day.

It also offers up to 10 percent off for those who pay 50 percent of the total cost of their stay by May 30. Totals of up to 300 euros can be paid in three monthly installments, up to 500 euros in six installments and up to 1,000 euros in nine installments.