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From Times Online

July 21, 2008

Analysis: Malia's image as a holiday destination is already tarnished

Ginny McGrath

When you see a Crete holiday advertised for less than £200, it’s more than likely to be in Malia.

The north-east coast is hugely popular with British holidaymakers because of its cheap hotels, sun, sand and sex. It has hit the headlines regularly over the excesses and misadventures of British tourists, so it has little reputation to lose from this latest tragic event.

The leading German tabloid Bild once warned its readers against visiting Malia and the surrounding resorts: “Binge drinking, sex and sand – three things that make this place on the east coast of Crete an attractive destination for the English.”

Mark Hodson of the Sunday Times once wrote of it: “Crete is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, but it does have its share of hideous resorts. The worst is Malia.”

Traveller forums on websites like Tripadvisor.co.uk and Holidaywatchdog.com paint an equally bleak picture – tales of woe range from tendons severed on dance floors littered with glass, fighting in the streets and theft.

Last month Rob Hughes, a 27-year-old Briton, was beaten up by fellow UK tourists outside a nightclub in Malia. He was in a coma for two weeks and is still recovering in hospital in Crete.

Richard Adams, who went to Malia on a Club 18-30 holiday seven years ago, said of his experience: "Malia was an experience I would never want to revisit. As for the holidaymakers there – it’s to be avoided by anyone who has read a book."

Crime in resorts such as Malia and Faliraki, on Rhodes, are behind the ranking of Greece as the world’s most dangerous holiday destination, according to figures released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office last summer.

More Britons were raped and hospitalised in Greece than in any other country – figures show there were 48 reported rapes in the period from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. During the same period, 955 Britons were taken to hospital in Greece - more than in Spain and France combined. And Greece ranked third, behind only Spain and the USA for the number of travellers arrested.

But Malia has its supporters too, who talk of its attractive old town, glorious weather, affordable hotels and its famous archaeological site, the Palace of Malia.

I'm 18 years old and heading to Malia next week and despite the negative press recently I'm looking forward to it. I have to agree with comments by other people - I expect it to be no different than a saturday night out in the UK and I'm not worried - such incidents can occur anywhere.

Sam, Newcastle, UK

Was in Malia last summer and heading back again in September as it was the best 2 weeks ever. Im from Northern Ireland and we didnt have any bother over there at all, never seen one fight in two weeks and we were out partying every night.

Brian, Dungannon, Tyrone

I have just returned from a holiday to Malia, I went with 18-30s and I have to say Malia is no different to any other popular "young" destination. Obviously families are not going to go there but the place is great for the young, it is there for young people to have a great time!

Claire, Kent, England

I went to Malia on an 18-30's last year and had an amazing time.I am a 25 yr old professional graduate, and yes, this resort isnt for families or pensioners, or for teetotaller!But, i had an amazing time, no trouble, no fights, certainly no rapes.No worse than Sat nights in UK thats for sure!

Becca, Chelmsford,

I went to Malia this year and had the best holiday ever. Articles like this seem to have forgotten what it's like to have fun. Yes there is trouble in Malia but it's easily avoided. Granted if you're over 30 don't bother, but anyone up to have a laugh will love malia.

Hannah, brum,

I went to Malia last year with my friends and I had a good time. I am not an 'oaf', i have a master degrees and starting a PhD soon. However, i agree it is not the best of places for a family holiday . Plus, the only fights I saw, of which there was very few, were initiated by local chaps on mopeds.

John, manchester,

Oh, yes. Malia. My wife and went to Crete a few years ago. The flight out had a vociferous minority of drunken oafs who made the flight a misery. We were ashamed to be British. Fortunately, they went to Malia and we went to Elounda which was idyllic and the antithesis of Malia.

Bob H, Glasgow, UK

These resorts are simply a mirror of what young people do in every town and city in the UK on a Saturday night. What is not highlighted are the massive majority of satisfied customers who have great times in these resorts. Usual over hyping of a situation to sensationalise and make headlines.

Stephen , Birmingham, England

As a Cretan I am embarassed by the situation in Malia & Hersonisos (although almost all of the violent incidents there involve visitors) however those two locations have nothing to do with the rest of the island. Just make the right choice.

KOSTIS AGELAKIS, heraklion, greece

why paint one half of the picture saying that Britons were raped and hospitalised. Why not mention the nationality of their attackers? British by any chance? or do you not want to further spoil the British reputation?

Marco, KrakOw, Poland

We had an idyllic holiday in the unspoilt eastern end of Crete last year, but on our trip back to the airport at the end we were forced to make a detour through Malia. I can truly say that it is the worst place I have ever seen in my life. No space to write any more! Don't go there! Chav city!

ben foster, wokingham,

Malia's image problem indeed!! Rubbish- this is a case of British behaving badly abroad. Hardly Malia's fault. I think British holiday behaviour as read about here is a disgusting embarassment to decent people and shames us in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Roisin, Hayling Island,