Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said in a recent interview with ANA-MPA Greece will receive 1 million visitors a week, underscoring the importance of this industry as a key driver of the economy of Greece, especially in the coming winter.
“This year, the tourism sector has shown its leading role; not only strengthens the national economy, but also provides significant support to very difficult circumstances,” said Kikilias.
He attributed this year’s “unprecedented achievement” to the hard work of the ministry and the top services of Greek tourism and travel stakeholders.
“Greece boasts outstanding entrepreneurs who, with effort, ingenuity and passion, are providing tourists with superior services, upgrading the Greek tourism product,” he said.
According to Kikilias, Greece will receive about 1 million passengers per week by the end of July, with more than 900,000 passengers per week.
Kikilias said the South Aegean Region exceeded its pre-pandemic 2019 levels, growing by 20% in July 2019, 17,500 international flights and more than 3 million visitors.
“With teamwork, targeted planning and timely interventions to deal with this year’s challenges, some destinations have come close to or even exceeded 2019 levels,” said Kikilias. despite the Russo-Ukrainian war, energy crisis and inflationary pressures.
The Minister confirmed the “dynamic return” of the UK, German and Scandinavian markets and the US market, from which arrivals in June increased by 50% compared to 2019 largely thanks to the availability of many flights. fly straighter.
In addition, the Austrian market increased by 32% and Israel by 24%. “Greece this year is the number one destination for visitors from France and Israel, highly rated among tourists from the Balkans, and in the top three places in Germany and Scandinavia,” he said.
Among the lesser-known destinations being promoted this year are Kastoria, Limnos and Nafpaktos, Kikilias said, adding that Crete, Rhodes and Kos are being promoted as ideal destinations for high-class tourists in winter.
Kikilias concluded that one of the biggest concerns of the Ministry of Tourism is extending the tourist season beyond the traditional summer months. “We have no indication but evidence that the tourist season has lengthened and, yes, will last even longer.” he said.
“This year, the season started earlier – from early March, with 63 nonstop flights per week from the US… the cruise line started early and is now 10 months old and we are working hard to reach 12 months. And the number of visitors to the Acropolis has reached 2019 levels.”
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Source: GTP Headlines
