More Irish Travelers Adding Greece to Wish Lists

Irish bloggers during a wine tour in Halkidiki. Photo source: HTO.

Greece is rising up on Irish travelers’ wish lists, ranking 16^th among destinations of choice, according to the country’s Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Based on CSO data, Greece is gaining ground over rival markets including Spain, Italy and Portugal, reflecting the growing demand among the Irish. Greece increased its share by 23 percent in 2022 over 2019 and by 53 percent compared to 2021.

Indicatively, in January, the Greek islands ranked sixth on Ireland’s Top 10 Fly ’N’ Flop Destinations for 2023.

Aiming to increase traveler flows from Ireland and to promote Greece to the Irish market, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) branch for UK and Ireland welcomed eight influencers from Ireland on a FAM trip last month to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.

Irish bloggers making bougatsa in Thessaloniki. Photo source: TTO.

FAM trip participants had the chance to learn more about Greece and to take part in alternative experiences in addition to sea and sun, gastronomy, wine, and culture tourism.

Among others, they had the chance to participate in culture tours in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, sample local wines and select Greek products during visits to local wineries, take a cruise of the Athos peninsula, learn more about city-break and sea & sun options.

Irish bloggers on a food tour. Photo source: TTO.

The FAM trip came after a presentation in Dublin last year of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki tourism offerings aimed at boosting incoming traffic from the Irish market.

Earlier this year, the tourism organizations of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki participated at the Holiday World Show 2023 in Dublin, and met with tourism professionals from Ireland, travel agents, journalists and travel content creators.