Odyssey effect: stars sell Greece to a new wave of US tourists

Stars selling Greece to a new wave of US tourists

The idyllic beaches of the Greek islands have long been a draw for European holidaymakers, but now a new wave of US tourists is waking up to their charms, driven by stars such as Madonna, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. Madonna celebrated her 68th birthday on Corfu, sharing a whirl of parties and boat

Odyssey effect: stars sell Greece to a new wave of U.S. tourists

While Madonna partied in Corfu, singer Bieber took his family to the Peloponnese. Perry and her partner, Canada’s former prime minister Justin Trudeau, sampled the delights of Mykonos.

Odyssey effect: stars sell Greece to a new wave of US tourists

Madonna celebrated her 68th birthday on Corfu, sharing a whirl of parties and boat trips against the backdrop of the island's landscape with her 20 million Instagram followers -- earning her rapturous thanks from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. And experts say the huge popularity of Christopher Nolan blockbuster "The Odyssey" will only fuel the trend -- though holidaymakers will be hoping for an easier trip home than the one endured by…