Greek PM Sees Tourism Performance Going Strong in 2023

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking during the ministerial meeting. Photo source: @PrimeMinisterGR.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that he expected tourism this year to maintain its upward trend and the focus to be on protecting destinations and the environment.

“If the signs we have so far are confirmed, it will be even better than last year’s excellent year. In 2022, we had record revenues but also a 10 percent increase in spending per capita from 564 euros in 2019 to 619 euros in 2022. This means that we are now attracting more quality tourism generating more revenues,” he said addressing a ministers’ meeting.

Mitsotakis went on to add that Greece had managed to extend the tourism season and now the priority is to protect the environment, the country’s destinations, especially those attracting large numbers of tourists.

In this direction, he said interventions would soon be announced as well as actions to address the issue of staff shortages, which he said concerns “justified demands for better wages and better working conditions”. He went on to stress that “everyone deserves a dividend of success from the development of our tourism product”.

Lastly, in reference to the protection of two historic cinemas, namely the Ideal and Astor in the heart of Athens which date back to the early 1900s, Mitsotakis said he had requested that the two landmarks be officially designated as protected. He added that the decision will ensure their use as cinemas or for culture, recreation and tourism.

“Investments should highlight the uniqueness of landmarks and their role in the life of the city but also in our personal memories. We can have a harmonious coexistence of private investments – which are necessary for a lively urban center – with the simultaneous preservation of historical, architectural and cultural memory, respect for the daily habits of residents and harmonization with modern trends. Culture is a driver of development and social cohesion in our cities,” he said.

Ideal cinema in Athens. Photo source: Ideal cinema.

Last week, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, city residents and heritage groups called for the protection of the two historic cinemas after the Culture Ministry said they could not be listed as cultural monuments.

Earlier this month, Greek hospitality group Mitsis Hotels said it would be investing 36 million euros to restore and renovate of the Schliemann – Mela Mansion which houses the Ideal. In addition to creating a luxury hotel on the premises, Mitsis Hotels said it has plans for the cinema which will be announced after a static adequacy study is carried out.