Greece Aiming to Break 2019 Tourist Arrival Record in 2022

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

Greece is making a strong comeback this year as tourist arrivals continue their upward dynamic. Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias confirmed that the country is expected to break pre-pandemic 2019 levels this year.

In recent interviews to local media, Kikilias said Greece was expecting more than 1 million international visitors per week during “an unprecedented August” with tourism-related revenue following suit.

“We’re aiming for record revenue… we will surpass 2019,” said Kikilias, adding that the exact figures will be announced at the end of the season.

“However, if things go smoothly, tourism revenue will exceed 2019 levels,” he said, reiterating that Greece’s upgraded tourism product is supporting hundreds of professions and feeding the average Greek family.

Indicative of the dynamic, all popular tourist destinations in Greece are full, said Kikilias, with occupancy levels exceeding 90 percent on Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and Kos.

Photo © GTP

At the same time, demand for the rest of the Cyclades islands is high, while the Ionian islands are expected to reach 80 percent of 2019 activity levels.

The South Aegean Region already exceeded its pre-pandemic 2019 levels up by 20 percent in July over 2019, 17,500 international flights and more than 3 million visitors.

The minister went on to add that Greece’s top source markets: the UK and Germany – were boosting tourism figures in July past 2019 levels. Indicative examples: the number of UK travelers to Rhodes increased by 21 percent and to Crete (Chania) by 43.2 percent while the number of Germans to Rhodes was up 24.6 percent and to Chania by 78.3 percent over 2019 levels for the same month.

In July, Athens International Airports reported a 29 percent rise in arrivals from Germany, a 15 percent increase from France, a 19 percent rise from Israel, a 257 percent increase from Serbia and a 177 percent rise from Turkey compared to 2019.

Kikilias attributed to the positive trend to hard work and a longer tourism season.

“The tourist season in Greece started earlier this year than ever and we are working hard so that it will last through to the end of 2022,” he said.