France Tourist Arrivals to Greece Up 23% this Year Compared to 2019

Tourist arrivals from France to Greece so far are up this year by 23 percent compared to the record-breaking year 2019, Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IFTM-Top Résa 2022 international tourism trade show in Paris, Kikilias presented 2022 data from airlines on arrivals to Greece up until September 15.

“The messages we are receiving about extending the tourism season are promising, our efforts continue to bear fruit,” Kikilias said.

According to airline representatives in France, Greece’s tourism success this year has resulted in flights from France being extended by an extra month, which is expected to contribute decisively to the Greek government’s efforts to extend the season.

Meetings with market players

In Paris, the minister met with leading tour operators and airline representatives and was informed that Greece is the second most popular destination for French travelers.

Air France’s European director, Frédéric Descours and marketing director, Frédéric Ribes, informed the minister that a 50 percent increase in seat availability this year has been recorded compared to 2019.

Likewise, Transavia’s CEO, Nathalie Stubler, and general manager, Nicolas Henin, said that the Dutch airline’s seat availability grew by 60 percent compared to the pre-Covid period and expressed interest for an additional 10 percent increase for 2023.

In addition, tour operators SELECTOUR and Voyage Privé informed Kikilias that their travel packages to Greece for September and October were “sold out” and that demand exists for the following months. The tour operators said they see 2023 as a year of consolidation.

“The strong alliance that we started building last year in autumn is bearing fruit and we believe that with the cooperation of all sides – airlines, travel agencies, hoteliers, local government, restaurants – we will have continuity,” the Greek tourism minister said.

“Every day that the season is extended, every extra euro that comes from every traveler, is a profit,” Kikilias added.