ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ ΚΙΚΙΛΙΑΣ
- 30 Apr 2023
- economy
After the extremely strong performance of tourism in our country in 2022, the data we have so far make us optimistic that this season will be even more successful. I'm talking about facts not predictions, as the tourist season has already started - earlier than ever.
As is already known, tourism revenue in 2022 exceeded the initial target of 15 billion euros and reached 17.6 billion. Our goal is to increase revenue in 2023 by at least 10%.
Of course, these successes did not come on their own: it took teamwork and hard work to get to the point where year-on-year revenue growth was achievable. We made openings in new markets, attracted big spender travelers, organized EOT campaigns that last 12 months a year, entered into agreements with airlines and tour operators with the aim of extending the season, upgraded the cruise and promoted alternative/thematic tourism.
This entire network of measures to strengthen our tourism is already bearing fruit and they are now making the tourism ministry an economic, development and investment ministry.
It may sound cliché, but tourism today is the "development engine" of Greece, as all of the above is accompanied by large investments, innovative tourism products and services and, of course, increases in the wages of workers in the field, which, according to the collective labor agreement that has been signed and applies to all those employed in tourism, will reach 10.5% within the next two years.
I say it often and I will repeat it once more: tourism is first and foremost a popular economy. It gives income to the Greek family, to small and medium-sized businesses, it moves the economy of the region and, at the same time, it helps the government to find the necessary fiscal space in order to make interventions to support our less privileged compatriots.
Therefore, I consider that the Ministry of Tourism, entrusted to me by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which contributes to the development and strengthening of our economy, both macro-economically, due to its contribution to the GDP, and, if you like, also micro-economically, in local level, at the level of small and medium enterprises. Because, beyond the – very important, as is easily perceived – numbers, for us the good course of the economy is mainly reflected in the well-being of the people who live in our country. Because in the great anxieties of the country, Tourism is a force for uplifting.
