Minister Sees Strong Demand for Travel to Greece from the United States

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently wrapped up a week-long visit to the United States, which included a trip to Mexico, concluding a series of meetings with leading players in the global tourism market.

From the US to Mexico, the minister strengthened Greece’s position as a safe tourism destination and received confirmation that demand for travel from Americans to the country this summer is rising. The minister’s meetings included contacts with representatives of airlines, hotel groups and tour operators.

It is reminded that Greece is officially opening to tourists in mid-May with no quarantine requirement for vaccinated travelers or those with a negative PCR test.

Perhaps the most important moments of the minister’s visit to the US were the meetings he held in Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago, where he met with executives from the three leading US airlines – Delta,  American Airlines and United.

The representatives of the three US-based airlines informed the minister that – based on bookings recorded so far – they expect direct flights to Greece to be “in great demand” in the coming months.

It is reminded that Delta Airlines will connect the US to Athens with three daily flights, from New York and Atlanta. American Airlines will launch flights to the Greek capital from New York, Chicago and Philadelphia and United Airlines will introduce a new Washington DC-Athens route in addition to its Newark-Athens connection.

While in Chicago, the minister also met with Alex Pissios, the president of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the American city’s largest film company. Discussions included ways to attract film producers to Greece to promote the country indirectly through films.

Theoharis also met with the organizers of the Chicago marathon, as well as with tour operators, travel agents and representatives of expatriate organizations.

During his visit to the US, the Greek tourism minister traveled to Cancun, Mexico, to take part in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2021 Global Summit, which was attended by business leaders, government ministers and key decision-makers from across the global travel and tourism sector.

During the summit, Greece was honored by the WTTC with the “Global Champion Award for COVID-19 Crisis Management”. The award, received by Theoharis on behalf of Greece, highlights the country as an example for the implementation of health protocols and the safe opening of the tourism industry in a time of pandemic.