Mykonos, Santorini, Kos, Rhodes Welcome 64,000 Arrivals in May

The South Aegean Region, home to such islands as Mykonos, Santorini, Kos, and Rhodes welcomed 64,000 visitors in May on 520 charter flights.

More specifically, according to regional airport operator Fraport Greece, incoming traffic activity which mainly peaked on Saturdays saw the arrival of 30,348 travelers on 241 flights to Rhodes, 15,918 on 121 flights to Kos; 6,639 holidaymakers on 68 flights to Mykonos, and 10,856 arrivals on 97 flights to Santorini. The data excludes passengers flying through Athens International Airport.

Regional authorities expressed their satisfaction and confidence that the season will pick up pace later in June and in early July.

Earlier this week, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Yiannis Retsos confirmed that all of the country’s hotels will open by the end of the month and that he expects traveler flows to pick up in July. He also referred to a large wave of American travelers expected to visit Greece in the coming months.

It should also be noted, that Greece – like many other popular destinations – is still on the UK’s “amber list” which requires travelers to quarantine upon return.

The inclusion of Greece on this list, in effect banning travel, has angered the tourism industry and travelers while creating confusion and reluctance to plan The UK is one of Greece’s key source markets.