Poll: Greeks Say Gov’t Doing Good Job in Tourism Ahead of Elections

Hellenic Parliament, Athens (archive photo)

Greeks are giving the current government kudos for its performance in tourism and for the growing popularity of Greece as a leading tourist destination, according to the latest poll released by research firm Metron Analysis ahead of elections.

Greek will be voting in legislative elections on May 21. In the poll ahead of the elections the majority of respondents (70 percent) found that the government had done well with regard to tourism.

“In the last two years, Greek tourism has been driving the economy and the development of the country, providing jobs and indirect income to Greek society and especially to the lower and middle classes who need it the most,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias commenting on the findings.

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias commenting on the polls results on Greek TV. Photo source: @VKikilias.

To highlight the crucial role of tourism as a pillar of the Greek economy, Kikilias said tourism surpluses in 2022 had supported other sectors hit by the effects of the multiple crises that hit Europe, and he added that the same will apply in 2023.

To demonstrate the sector’s dynamics, Kikilias confirmed that popular destinations in Greece are almost fully booked from April onward, with the season set to extend into next winter and “industry professionals estimating 2023 to be 10 to 20 percent higher than in 2022, which was an excellent year”.

The minister went on to add that Greece is this year also expecting a boom from the markets of China and Australia after these lifted Covid measures.

It should also be noted that robust tourist flows to Greece in 2022 and increased revenue last year have made the country an attractive investor destination. “Eight in 10 investments made in Greece now concern tourism, either hotels or infrastructure,” said Kikilias.

Mykonos, Greece. Photo source: Greek Travel Pages.

Other key Metron Analysis findings ahead of Greek polls:

– asked whether the country was heading in the right direction, 63 percent said “no”

– the most important problems in Greek society today are the economy according to 24 percent of those polled, rising prices (19 percent) and the political system and politicians (17 percent)

– with regards to the deadly train crash in Tempi last month that killed 57 people, 78 percent said all governments were responsible while 22 percent cited the current government

– the current government is doing well in attracting tourism (70 percent), shielding the country and in digital transformation

Conducted on behalf of Mega TV, the poll shows that majorities said the Greek government was doing a good job in tourism (70 percent), in defending the country (58 percent), digital transformation (56 percent), and in foreign policy (50 percent). Source: MEGA

– the current government has not done well in the area of corruption said 74 percent of those polled

– 63 percent of respondents said a political change was necessary while 34 percent said continuity was more important.

Finally, according to the latest forecasts, the current New Democracy party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in the lead with 32.5 percent over SYRIZA at 26.7 percent.