One of Turkey’s main competitors in the Mediterranean – Greece – noted the rapid growth of international tourism, setting new records in booking holidays in the summer season 2022. For Greek tourism, the dock-like 2019 was marked as historic in terms of tourism. However, 2022 is expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures. According to a press release issued on February 15 by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, last January alone, bookings to Greece increased by 30 percent compared to 2019, ie in 2019. this year the country is waiting for a tourist boom.
At the same time, Greek tourism relies primarily on tourists from the European Union (mostly Germany and France), as well as the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Russia. Obviously, the expectations of tour operators for the current year are significant. Thus, the Minister of Tourism Vasilis Kikilias noted that the tourism giant TUI has announced superplans: instead of 1.5 million vacationers this year, he intends to bring twice as much.
“DER Touristik, the second tour operator in Germany, has announced a 20 percent increase to 1.2 million travelers. At the same time, we see many requests for holidays in October, November and December 2022, which means that our strategy to expand the tourism product is realistic, “- said the official in this regard.
It will be recalled that Greece has officially announced a record early opening of the tourist season to recoup the losses of previous seasons, which passed in a concise format due to the coronavirus. From March 1, the resorts will receive the first tourists, read more at the link.
Yes, Minister Kikilias also said that on February 14 he met with US Ambassador Jeffrey Payat, with whom they decided that from April in Greece there will be 14 direct flights of American companies, and the first will start on March 7. In the first days of March, Greece will receive the first charters from Germany.
Moreover, the Minister of Tourism noted that for two and a half years the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis only reduced taxes. He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that the country is currently developing as a result of investment in hotels in ruined areas, which means that they will bring financial income, increase employment, and bring pleasure to tourists.
According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, investing in tourism and infrastructure allows the average Greek family to grow and prosper. Thousands of Greeks are involved in tourism, be it trade, shops or even transport, but tourism business owners and employees are worried about the energy crisis and rising prices. The government assured these organizations and staff, in particular, that it was taking steps to address these issues.
Also read: Tourists will be able to enter Greece not only by air
Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilias called on regions, municipalities, the private sector, hotels, travel agencies, medical shops and the entire trade world to be ready for the rush season, adding that tourism is a national destination for Greece.
Greece was one of the first European countries to open the border to foreign tourists on May 14, 2021.
Recall that Greece is ideal for beach holidays: the coast and islands are washed by the Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The most popular resorts are considered to be those located in Crete, Mykonos and Rhodes. Connoisseurs of culture and history go to Athens.
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