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Mamma Mia! entices Greek holiday home buyers

Mamma Mia! entices Greek holiday home buyers

Wednesday, 8 April 2009 1:34 PM

Mamma Mia, the hit blockbuster featuring Meryl Streep, has caused a 120 per cent increase in potential buyers in Greece, according to PropertyIndex.com .

The film, set on the Greek island of Skopelos, was the highest grossing UK box office hit of all time, and has sparked a desire to own a holiday home in the idyllic Greek islands, say PropertyIndex.

Interest in the Greek islands has remained consistently high, with 24,852 viewings of property online in March, compared with just 9,812 a year ago.

Lee Bramzell, chief executive of PropertyIndex.com, said: "British buyers are clearly captivated by Mamma Mia's idyllic portrayal of life in the Greek islands and are intent on finding their own island hideaway.

"Greece offers a fantastic climate with mild winters and 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, resulting in a long rental season from April to October. The cost of living is low and property prices are affordable with 2-bed properties costing in the region of £165,529.

"With second homeowners looking not only looking for value for money but also the opportunity to recoup some of the costs through renting the property out for all or part of the year, Greece is a top performing destination."

Budget airline easyJet also recently reported a 13 per cent increase in sales of flights to Athens, since the release of the film last summer.

Mamma Mia!, featuring the songs of ABBA and based on the popular West End musical, has grossed in excess of $600 million worldwide and is the biggest box office hit the UK has ever seen.