Mamma mia! Greece on the up

According to Hotels.com, a leading online hotel booking site*, searches for Greece and the Greek Islands are on the up after the release of the new blockbuster film, Mamma Mia! Searches for the Mediterranean destination on Hotels.com have risen by more than 70%.

Alison Couper, director of communications at Hotels.com, said: "The idea that films can put a destination "on the map" has long been established. The Lord of the Rings had a dramatic effect on New Zealand tourism and the cult film Borat saw Hotels.com searches for Kazakhstan soar by 300%."

Following in the footsteps of the hit musical, the film version of Mamma Mia! was shot in various locations in Greece from the mainland region of Pelion, the island of Skiathos and the small island of Skopelos. The film stars Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.

For further information visit hotels.com.

* Hotels.com website is the most visited in the ‘Hotels/Accommodation provider’ category, according to comScore Media Metrix (Jan-Dec 2007).