Covid-19 Impact on tourism economy Greek Think-tank Sees Slower Growth, Tourism in 2021 by Maria Paravantes 4 February 2021 written by Maria Paravantes 4 February 2021 0 comments Share 0FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 24 Athens, Syntagma square. Photo: Visit Greece / Y. Skoulas Greece’s leading think-tank the Foundation of Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) revised downward this week Greek government forecasts for a 4.8 percent rebound in 2021 lowering the projection to a 4-4.3 percent rate in its baseline scenario. The forecast, presented in the IOBE’s quarterly report, is also significantly below EU projections at 5 percent and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) outlook of 5.7 percent and hinges on whether the Covid-19 pandemic subsides in Q1 and Q2 this year and there is no new wave. Greek tourism In the same baseline scenario tourism activity will remain low at 45-50 percent of 2019 levels but double that of 2020, the IOBE said. The government places the figure at 60 percent of 2019 levels. IOBE Director General Nikos Vettas underlined that tourism to Greece will depend on whether the pandemic is brought under control across Europe by spring, noting that any forecast seeing tourism revenues “exceed half of what it was before the crisis is optimistic”. Vettas said Greece is at risk of seeing another lost tourism season if vaccinations are not completed by the end of April, forecasting growth at 0.5-1 percent. The IOBE also released two more outlooks: a positive scenario, according to which recovery is set at 5-5.3 percent and a worst-case scenario at a 0.5-1 percent rate, which is much closer to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projection of 0.9 percent growth in 2021 and foresees a summer similar to last year’s. Vettas went on to add that none of the scenarios can be ruled out, adding that the development of the pandemic, the effectiveness and reach of vaccination, the upcoming tourism season as well as the use of recovery funds will be the determining factors. For 2020, the IOBE expects recession at 9-9.5 percent compared to the government’s 10.5 percent forecast. Join the 15,000+ travel executives who read our newsletter Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece. Share 0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail Maria Paravantes Chicago-born and raised, Maria Paravantes has over two decades of journalistic experience covering tourism and travel, gastronomy, arts, music and culture, economy and finance, politics, health and social issues for international press and media. She has worked for Reuters, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Billboard Magazine, Time Out Athens, the Athens News, Odyssey Magazine and SETimes.com, among others. She has also served as Special Advisor to Greece’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the mayor of Athens on international press and media issues. Maria is currently a reporter, content and features writer for GTP Headlines. previous post Greek Hoteliers Hope Easter Holiday will Bring First Arrivals for 2021 next post Greek PM Expects Tourism to Pick Up in Summer 2021 You may also like Greece’s Hotel Market Sees Major Investments Over Four Months 5 February 2025 Greek Tourism Ministry Monitors Santorini Situation as Seismic Activity Continues 5 February 2025 Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024, IATA Reports 5 February 2025 Greek PM Reassures Public About Santorini’s Ongoing Seismic Activity 5 February 2025 Milos: Ministry Suspends 5-star Hotel Construction Near Sarakiniko Beach 5 February 2025 ELIME and HELMEPA Join Forces for Safer, More Sustainable Greek Ports 5 February 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ