Greece a Top Holiday Choice for American Travelers in 2022

Tourism stakeholders in Greece have welcomed the return of American tourists after negotiating deals this year with US-based airlines for 63 direct flights a week to Athens.

Indicatively, on average, American travelers spend 2,000 dollars a week during their holidays: 25 percent on accommodation and 15 percent on accommodation.

According to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the increasing number of direct flights from the US to Athens gave Greek tourism a significant boost this year.

In June alone, arrivals from the US increased by 50 percent compared to record year 2019, reflecting a positive upward trend. Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias has said that over 500,000 travelers from the largest American airports (New York, Newark, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles) were expected to arrive in Greece on direct flights this tourism season.

Moreover, arrivals to Greece from the US in the first half of the year increased by 745.9 percent to 324,000, according to the Bank of Greece.

ASTA Greece & Cyprus Chapter President Leonidas Babanis announced that next month the association in collaboration with Greek organizations would be holding a series of promotional events in the US.

“Right now some synergies are underway and culinary events are set to take place in major American cities such as New York, Chicago and Washington in 2023. But there are also other actions that will be announced in mid-October,” he said, adding that “Greece is among ASTA’s distinguished destinations, especially for this year”.

ASTA Greece & Cyprus Chapter receives honor

Moreover, the ASTA Greece & Cyprus Chapter headed by Babanis was honored as “Chapter of the Year” by the American Society of Travel Advisors at the 2022 Global Convention held in San Francisco.

“Our historic ties are getting stronger with the ASTA award for International Chapter of the Year,” said Babanis. “The excellent work continues for a second year in a row,” he added.

The ASTA awards program aims to promote excellence in the travel industry and recognizes organizations and professionals who make long-lasting contributions to the industry.

Since the 1960s, ASTA has forged strong ties with Greece holding its global convention in Greece in 1967, its international conference in 1987, and the destinations expo in 2018.