Kountoura: Greek Tourism Annual Result to be Better than Expected

Overall annual numbers for Greece’s 2016 tourism performance are expected to exceed initial expectations and market forecasts, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura told the Athens News Agency (ANA) in a recent interview.

Although the final figures for 2016 are still pending, Minister Kountoura noted that major tourist accommodation in Greece this year recorded a nine percent increase in revenue, based on the data of GBR Consulting.

Moreover, the minister said that the positive momentum of 2016 will be maintained next year, according to initial data.

“To date, bookings and messages from tour operators and our partners abroad for the extended summer season, from March to November, are showing an increasing trend to the levels of 20 percent compared to 2016 from our key markets, such as the UK”, Minister Kountoura told ANA, adding that the ministry will have a more clear picture in the coming period.

“Considering that there are not any unexpected factors, 2017 has all the conditions to be an even better year for Greek tourism”, she said.