Greece Expects Rise in 2019 Tourism Revenue

The Greek Tourism Ministry is expecting Greece to see an increase in revenue from tourism and travel this year, compared to 2018.

“The (current) data is very encouraging and far better than initial forecasts,” Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said on Monday, during an interview to Proto Thema radio station.

“We estimate, based on the two-month period from August to September, that this year’s revenue will be higher by 0.5 billion euros compared to last year’s figure,” he said, adding that initial forecasts had referred to a reduction of even 1 billion euros.

2020 tourism season

Minister Theoharis said that the planning for next year’s tourism season has already begun and that – in that context – Greece will be present at major international sectoral exhibitions, where meetings with international tour operators will take place.

It should be mentioned that the Greek tourism minister recently held a fruitful meeting in Athens with the CEO of Jet2, Stephen Heapy, and discussed the company’s strategy for Greece in the UK market. Heapy had informed the minister that he sees steady growth prospects in the Greek market for new destinations and the expansion of the season.

Greek National Tourism Organization President Angela Gerekou, Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, Jet2 CEO Stephen Heapy, Jet2.com GM Airports & Tourism Organisations Janice Mather and GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis.

Greek Regional Tourism Council

Moreover, during the interview, Minister Theoharis referred to the Regional Tourism Council that the ministry is setting up. The council will focus on solving the problems that the regions face, shaping a single tourism policy and focus on the exchange of best practices.

According to the minister, the council will meet every two months at the ministry in Athens and in the presence of Greece’s 13 vice governors for tourism.

The council’s first meeting will take place at the end of October.