Greece Sees Tourism Bookings for Autumn Going Strong

Photo source: Visit Greece

Greece is ready to extend the tourist season this year with strong bookings all the way to the end of October, said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Thursday.

“According to reservation and ticket data for September and October, tourist flows are not only ongoing but in several instances stronger,” said Kikilias.

“It appears that we are winning the bet to achieve an extension of the tourism season,” he added.

In an interview to SKAI television, Kikilias said he expects the season to grow even longer particularly after plans by the government announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) to boost the country’s tourist product with a new Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) campaign to run in collaboration with airlines and tour operators as well as with the ministry’s drive to bring Northern European pensioners to Greece for a cheaper and milder winter.

Kikilias went on to highlight the sector’s positive dynamic, referring to a 9.4 percent rise in passenger traffic through the country’s 14 regional airports in August over 2019 and to a 5 percent increase over 2019 in commercial flights to Greece, placing the country in the lead across Europe.

The Greek tourism minister underlined that the increased traveler flows to Greece this year are reflected in 2022 revenues which are expected to exceed record year 2019.

“[These] revenues go towards the average Greek family, small and medium-sized Greek businesses, hoteliers, professions directly or indirectly related to tourism, primary production and farming. Revenues that bring investments, create new jobs, and strengthen the Greek economy,” he said.