Fragakis to OT.gr – We have to change the model of tourism

The Secretary General at Greek National Tourism Organization, Dimitris Fragakis, the Central Macedonia Vice Governor for Tourism and Culture, Alexandros Thanos, and the President at Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Andreas Mandrinos, spoke to the stand of OT about the tourist mobility and the confidence the tourists showed to the “Greek summer”.

The Secretary General at Greek National Tourism Organization, Dimitris Fragakis, made a first assessment of the tourist wave in the summer.

The tourist season in May wasn’t a great success, but, afterwards, it started to rise. We exceed 50% of the arrivals of 2019 and, in terms of revenue, we will do very well at the end of the season.

The model of tourism was based on the “sun and sea” in recent years. We need to change what we offer to the traveler. But the pandemic showed us the way in order to change the model of tourism. In cooperation with the regions, Mr. Fragakis stressed that the goal is to promote Greece.

According to Mr. Fragakis, the main keys in convincing somebody to visit our country are: sustainability, natural resources, local products, soft infrastructure and security.

Characteristically, the Secretary General at Greek National Tourism Organization stated that, this year, the campaign for the advertising of Greece amounted to 28 million euros.

The messages from Northern Greece were positive, stressed the Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Alexandros Thanos. In September, there are still tourists in Halkidiki and Pieria. Moreover, as, this year, the US markets did very well, we expect a transatlantic connection to be realised in the next 3 years.

In Central Macedonia there could be tourists all year long, said Mr. Thanos.

Despite the fact that the tourist season wasn’t a great success, when the summer started, afterwards it went really well, the President at Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Andreas Mandrinos, added.