Key Tourism Figures 2017: Charalambos Karimalis, President Greek National Tourism Organization

Official Tourism Message

Greece is a beautiful country with breathtaking natural scenery, mild climate, hospitable people, rich history and culture and great cuisine – the world renowned Mediterranean cuisine – offering visitors a vast array of travel experiences that can make their holidays unforgettable. Millions of travelers enjoy Greece’s abundance of travel experiences each year and as a result Greek tourism is nowadays one of the most dynamic sectors of our country’s economy enjoying record breaking numbers in terms of international visitor arrivals over the last few years.

This is also the case this year. 2017 will most likely be a new record year in terms of arrivals thus further contributing to the domestic labor market and the much needed tourism revenues during these demanding times.

We believe this increase in visitor numbers to be a direct result of the National Tourism Strategy as set by the Ministry for Tourism with the aim to better promote as well as further grow the Greek tourism product in line with the principles of sustainable development but also profitability.

The Greek National Tourism Organization as the competent national authority for the promotion of Greece as a tourism destination is assigned with the task of best implementing this policy both on a national as well on an international level.

The GNTO – in association with the regional and local authorities’ – plans and implements a wide range of promotional activities whose main objective is to further consolidate Greece’s brand name in the international marketplace establishing Greece high up in the rankings of the world tourism map.

Our efforts are also focused on systematically promoting lesser known Greek destinations with unparalleled natural beauties offering unique travel experiences all 365 days of the year. Environmentally friendly moderate measures are the cornerstones of our priorities in order for Greek tourism to continue to contribute to Greece’s prosperity for many years to follow.