TO 2023 ΜΠΟΡΕΙ ΝΑ ΠΑΕΙ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 2022
- 30 Apr 2023
- economy
"The advance bookings of January are 20% above '22 at the moment" emphasized the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, estimating that "the extension of the tourist season is a great success as it brings new income to the economy, in periods that were traditionally off season" .
Regarding which areas the extension of the tourist season concerns, Mr. Kikilias said: "All over Greece. In Crete in December, on New Year's the flights did not stop. German companies traveled until the end of the year and start again at the beginning of March, flights in the Aegean such as for example to Rhodes, had a 27% increase in 2022 compared to '19, in the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia a 23% increase, the Corfu also, the complex of Kastellorizos had occupancy until the end of October, Symi, Halki and Naxos had 95% occupancy."
"We offer quality tourism and quality services"
As he noted, Greece is now attracting quality tourism as the average expenditure per traveler increased by 8% this year, while in the same context he stated that "we must offer real quality tourism and quality services, within traditional Greek hospitality. We must not escape from supply and quality in relation to prices, but be competitive."
"From the first moment we give special prominence to the country's gastronomy, as it is one of the three reasons for choosing to travel and in this context, together with the Hellenic Tourism Organization, we brought Michelin to Greece", he pointed out.
In closing, responding to whether the elections may affect the tourist season, the Minister of Tourism stated: "No matter how early the elections are or how late they are held, we will have a tourist season, because it starts at the beginning of March and in Athens there is no stop at all. The elections will not affect the tourist season. I repeat, the foundations we have laid in Greek tourism are so healthy and important - all together the private individuals, the EOT, the Ministry of Tourism, the investors, the domestic ones, the shopkeepers that, whoever comes to Greece always comes back, whoever doesn't come is a dream of coming and that is why we expect 2023 to be a better year.
Regarding the 2022 season, Greece not only succeeded, as Mr. Kikilias said, but also achieved excellent results. It is indicative that while the airports in the European markets moved with a 22% drop compared to 2019, the Greek airports recorded only a 1% drop compared to 2019.
