Greece Aiming to Attract Higher Spending Travelers

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias

Attracting holidaymakers who are willing to spend more is a key priority, said Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias this week during the 1st International Business and Hospitality Conference.

Kikilias referred to actions being taken by the ministry which include reaching out to higher spending markets as well as introducing new destinations in Greece.

The minister went on to add that promotional actions were producing results as demonstrated by the fact that 500,000 Americans are currently holidaying in Greece thanks to new direct flights from the US to Greece.

Photo source: Delta Air Lines

On Sunday, one more American carrier, Delta Air Lines inaugurated flights between Athens and Boston. Delta also flies nonstop to Atlanta and New York from the Greek capital.

Kikilias underlined the importance of relaunch of the Athens-Boston route after almost three decades, adding that the tourism product is a “certain investment” and will remain so for the next decades.

“Based on the strategy we set out in the winter, we already have 500,000 travelers in the capital directly from the US: from Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Washington. And now from Boston,” he said.

“All of this, of course, adds value to the Greek tourism product as it translates into growth, investments that come to stay and a boost to revenues throughout the year,” he said.

Athens Airport (archive photo)

Lastly, the minister said Greece had managed in the two years of the pandemic to rebrand as one of the world’s safest destinations. 

“We have developed the framework that ensures one can travel to our country safely. We take care of our travelers. We take care of our citizens. And we will continue to do so,” he said.