“In the first quarter of 2022, the receipts in the tourist product increased by 342% compared to the corresponding period last year”, noted the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias in an interview given to ANT1 television station.
As Mr. Kikilias underlined, the incoming travel traffic also increased this year by 295% compared to last year. He spoke with specific examples from well-known tourist destinations, such as the islands of the southern and southeastern Aegean, where – as he said – in May this year, both tourist traffic and revenue, recorded an average increase of 10% compared with the corresponding performance of May 2019.
Cruises
“Only for June, we expect 500 cruise ships in Greece,” stressed the Minister of Tourism. Mr. Kikilias also referred to the record of arrivals of American tourists in our country. Mr. Kikilias again spoke of the 9 daily flights from the USA that started on March 7. Americans are considered “high spending” travelers, who leave a large income in shops, hotels, in the city, in the country.
In fact, as the Minister of Tourism added, the tourist flow from the USA is so strong that the companies themselves are utilizing larger aircraft, as there are no vacancies until the end of the summer season. Indicative of the positive messages from tour operators abroad is the fact that contracts are already being made for the summer of 2023, said Mr. Kikilias, citing Easy Jet and Jet 2 as examples.
Alternative destinations
“Currently, the occupancy in Halki, Symi, Astypalea, Kastelorizo is extremely high. We support alternative destinations. We gave impetus to the cruise industry. Only in the port of Thessaloniki, the increase in cruises, at the moment, exceeds 250%. We enhance the tourism product even in non-traditional destinations of the country,” said the Minister of Tourism.
Finally, regarding the “Tourism for All” program, which starts on July 1st, Mr. Kikilias stressed that this is a 30 million euro (up from 20 million last year) program with a new form and structure and with almost zero bureaucracy.
Latest News
Greek PM Mitsotakis Says Fight Against Inflation Ongoing
The Premier made statement during a visit an an open vegetable market
Unpaid Taxes in Greece Reach 1.539bln Euros
As the figures revealed the number of debtors totaled 3,878,712 individuals and legal entities.
ELSTAT: Greek Primary Surplus Reaches 1.9% of GDP in 2023
Greek debt saw a slight dip to 356.7 billion euros by the end of 2023, down from 356.8 billion euros a year prior
Study: Greece in Top 5 Hotel Investments in Europe
As previously reported by OT, more than 60 hotel projects are set to be developed in Greece over the next four years
GEOAXIS Report: Office Rents Surge by 40% in Ten-Year Span
Geoaxis estimates that the different dynamics in the office market will continue into 2024/2025, predicting stability for older offices, increased demand for renovated spaces, and a slowdown in the rise of rents for modern, green offices
Greece: ‘Godparents’ Basket’ Debuts Today
As part of the program, Greek retailers are obliged to identify the lowest prices of certain categories of products traditionally purchased as Easter gifts by godparents for their godchildren between April 22 until May 4
Brain Waste in Greece: 22.74% of Migrants Overqualified for Jobs
Almost half of all college-educated migrants in Europe are overqualified for their jobs and twice as likely as natives to be unemployed, according to Lighthouse Reports
AB Vassilopoulos Supermarket Vies for 2nd Place in Greek Market
AB Vassilopoulos hopes its focus on its private label, addition of 2-3 company supermarkets and another 50 franchises will help it surpass LIDL
Greek Youth Struggle Amidst Low Wages and Soaring Expenses
Furthermore, 52.7% of respondents attribute Greece's current significant issues to governmental failure, while another 49.1% anticipate continued economic hardship in the nation's future
S&P Raises Greece Outlook to ‘Positive’; Rating Unchanged
The same international ratings agency in October 2023 raised the country’s creditworthiness to BBB- with a stable outlook