Greece Expecting UK Tourist Arrivals to Break Record in 2023

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias with UK Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge. Photo source: Tourism Ministry.

Tourist arrivals from the UK to Greece are expected to break all records this year, said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias following a meeting this week with Britain’s Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge.

More than 4 million travelers from the UK are set to visit Greece in the coming months surpassing last year’s figures, said Kikilias. The minister said the increase in arrivals was due to the addition of more flights to more destinations. Lodge confirmed the forecasts, adding that he was expecting a new record this year.

Indicatively, British low-cost carrier Jet2.com said it would be launching summer flights to Rhodes and Halkidiki in April, earlier than ever before placing “thousands of extra seats” on sale to Rhodes from Birmingham and Manchester. TUI has also boosted capacity.

Last year, more than 3 million holidaymakers from the UK visited Greece. The UK has traditionally been one of the country’s key source markets.

According to Bank of Greece (BoG) data for 2022, UK travel receipts increased by 21.8 percent compared to 2019.

The two officials also discussed further cooperation between the UK and Greece in transport and tourism.

Kikilias said actions to promote lesser-known destinations, city breaks and alternative forms of tourism by the ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) were ongoing.

Lastly, Lodge thanked Greece and the Greeks for “making sure that British tourists are safe and that they return with the best memories of Greece, a country that for Britain has always held the reputation for hospitality and beauty“.