Covid-19

Following the cancellation of conferences and exhibitions since Covid-19 appeared in 2020, the Greek MICE industry is counting losses that exceed €200 million.

February showed no indication of a recovery in demand for air travel as international passenger demand was down by 88.7 percent, according to IATA.

The UNWTO recently convened its Global Tourism Crisis Committee to lead the sector in harmonizing travel and health protocols and securing vital financing for businesses struggling to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

Non-essential air travel between Greek prefectures remains prohibited until April 19, according to an updated Covid-19 aviation directive by Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority.

The collapse of the Greek travel and tourism sector has wiped out 23 billion euros from the nation’s economy, according to WTTC research.

The UNWTO has approved Greece’s proposals to restart tourism and has adopted them as recommendations for its members.

The UK’s Global Travel Taskforce has set out framework to safely reopen international travel with recommendations including the launch of a new traffic light system and a ‘green watchlist’.

Greek authorities have announced that retail stores in Thessaloniki and Achaia will re-open to consumers as of April 12 under Covid-19-secure guidelines.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) has projected that Greece’s tourism revenue this year will reach up to half of 2019 earnings.

Greek tourism must adapt to increased competition in the Mediterranean and to travelers’ different destination selection criteria shaped by Covid-19.