Greece Expects Over €20 Billion in 2023 Tourism Revenues

The Greek government is expecting tourism-related revenues to reach 20 billion euros up from 17.7 billion euros last year and from 18.17 billion euros in record-breaking 2019, according to Akis Skertsos, Minister of State responsible for the coordination of government policies.

Speaking during the “Reframing Tourism” conference of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) held recently in Athens, Skertsos noted that a particularly successful tourism season was wrapping up this year.

“The season presents a very different picture compared to what Greece was 10 years ago and will record revenues exceeding 20 billion euros, with more than 30 million visitors,” he said, adding that Greece has a quality tourism product that offers visitors added value.

“However, we must leave seasonality behind and extend the tourism season,” he said.

Akis Skertsos, Minister of State responsible for the coordination of government policies. Photo source: General Secretariat of Communication and Information

When asked about the competitiveness of the Greek tourism product and how it is affected by the cost of energy, price increases and taxes, the minister highlighted that “the government has proven that it gives importance to the competitiveness of Greek entrepreneurship” with tax reductions and establishing the VAT reduction in transport. He underlined that major positive changes will follow that will “definitively close any pending cases of the past”.

According to Skertsos, until 2027 there will be changes regarding spatial planning, urban planning, the upgrading of education in the tourism sector and digital transformation, as Greece still has not “matured digitally”.

Moreover, he added that by the end of the next four-year period, pending issues related to waste management and recycling will also have been resolved, ending the issue of landfills and fines from the EU.