Homer's "Odyssey" has inspired readers for 3,000 years, and now the recently released film by director Christopher Nolan is expected to motivate travelers to embark on their own epic quest to Greece.
There could be a lot of inspired movie-goers. In its opening weekend, "The Odyssey" amassed $264.1 million in ticket sales, including $124.5 million in the U.S., according to Comscore.
Tour operators are already seeing a rise in Greece bookings and have designed themed itineraries to capitalize on interest from travelers who want to experience their own hero's journey. And the interest is twofold, spurred both by literary tourism and set-jetting -- that is, visiting filming locations -- giving travel advisors more than one way to market the tours.
Greece bookings are up 76% year over year, said Graham Carter, CEO and cofounder of tour operator Unforgettable Greece.
"While Greece has long been one of our most sought-after destinations, the excitement surrounding the release of 'The Odyssey' is adding to the momentum and inspiring more travelers to experience the landscapes and history behind one of the world's most enduring stories," he said.
Photo Credit: Unforgettable Greece
The operator created 22 new itineraries across Greece this year due to the spike in bookings, including one inspired by Homer's epic.
The 15-day itinerary was created to capture the spirit of Odysseus' journey -- but without having to spend a decade lost at sea -- and is fully customizable. The itinerary begins in Athens, bringing visitors to the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon before continuing to Corfu, which is associated with the Phaeacians, people who aided Odysseus' return home. The itinerary concludes in Ithaca.
Timothy's Family, a destination management company that creates religious tours, will offer custom itineraries inspired by the story and film due to the demand. The DMC's suggested seven-day itinerary includes Athens, Mycenae, Lefkada, Acheron and Corfu.
Greece specialist Athena Livadas, the founder of Pame Travel, said her agency is preparing to receive a surge of Odyssey-themed requests. She is most eager to introduce clients to Peloponnese, where much of the blockbuster film was shot. She said it's a favorite destination among Greeks.
"Just a three-hour drive from Athens, it offers rolling hills of vineyards, dramatic coastlines and charming seaside villages without all the tourists of the Cyclades islands," she said. "There are also plenty of incredible hotels, where the cast stayed during filming, worth the trip, allowing you to tour the sites and enjoy a leisurely resort along the beach."
Peloponnese also caught the eye of trip designers at Goway, a specialist in tailor-made tours. Its 10-day Odysseus' Journey itinerary features the region.
Greece has long captured the imaginations of television and film, sparking set-jetters to flock to the destination, but Livadas thinks "The Odyssey" has staying power long beyond the typical shelf life of other movies shot there due to Nolan's cult following.
Audley Travel, an England-based bespoke tour operator, also introduced an Odyssey-inspired itinerary. It pairs Greece with Italy and is customizable. The trip begins in Sicily, which is associated with the cyclops Polyphemus, before ending the Italy portion in the Aeolian Islands, which Homer wrote was the home of Aeolus, keeper of the winds.
Travelers on the Audley itinerary will then visit Greece, learning about classic myths and visiting destinations associated with them, like the Parthenon. Guests can also visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, home of King Agamemnon.
"The enduring appeal of 'Odyssey' lies in its sense of adventure and discovery," said Anna Scrivens, an Audley regional product manager. "This itinerary allows travelers to experience destinations that have long been linked with the epic poem, combining ancient sites, mythology and local culture in a way that brings the story vividly to life."
EF Go Ahead Tours launched a 12-day small-group itinerary called Footsteps of the Odyssey in Greece: Kefalonia, Ithaca & Corfu.
The itinerary was created after EF and Qualtrics Research conducted a survey that revealed 61% of travelers said they were very or somewhat interested in the movie, and 81% expressed at least some willingness to visit Greece in connection with the film.
The trip, which launches next year, visits six Ionian Islands, where Odysseus sailed. The journey features Odyssey Moments, which pair real-life history with the epic, including the Temple of Poseidon, the last landmark Odysseus would have seen as he left for Troy; Ithaca, Odysseus' homeland; and the Necromanteion of Acheron, believed to be the doorway to Hades and where Odysseus descended to meet with spirits in the underworld.
"What excites me most about this itinerary is introducing travelers to some of Greece's lesser-known island gems — places that feature heavily in ancient Greek literature, history and mythology," said Lael Kassis, EF Go Ahead's vice president of market innovation and development.