Greek Minister Forecasts 10% Rise in Tourism Revenues Over 2022

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias. Photo source: Ministry of Tourism.

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said he was expecting tourism-related revenues this year to exceed 2022 levels by 10 percent driven in large part by an extended season.

“We estimate that with the strategy we’ve followed, travel revenues in 2023 will be 10 percent higher than those of 2022,” he said in an interview to Capital.gr. “Any additional increase we may achieve will be welcome.”

Nearly 30 million tourist arrivals to Greece generated a total of 17.6 billion euros in 2022, exceeding initial forecasts by 2.6 billion euros. The goal now, Kikilias said is to ensure that the Greek tourism ‘season’ lasts all year long and travelers spend more.

Rhodes, Greece.

The minister expressed his confidence that 2023 will be an “exceptional” year with arrivals and travel receipts surpassing both 2022 and pre-Covid 2019 levels.

“This year, we are continuing out efforts to further extend the tourist season by opening up to other countries, entering agreements with strong market players, promoting alternative destinations and city breaks,” Kikilias said.

This year, he went on, Greece is counting on tourism from the US, Australia and China. “These are three very large and important markets”, said Kikilias, adding that travelers from the US, Australia and China spent more on average and stayed longer.

Santorini, Greece.

Key actions to stimulate tourist flows from these countries include securing more direct flights from the US and Canada, opening a Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) branch in Melbourne, and entering agreements for off season flights with China.

In terms of other source markets, Kikilias said Greece was a top holiday destination for the French, Israelis, Brits, Germans and Scandinavians.

Concluding, the minister reiterated that the tourism industry had become a primary driver of the Greek economy and a main supported of the average Greek family.