Kikilias for tourism: We are going for a record with over 18 billion euros in revenue

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“Using all the available financial tools RRF, PDE, NSRA, we are proceeding with important infrastructure projects”, said the Minister of Tourism

“The year is set for record arrivals and revenues of more than 18 billion euros and as it can already be seen, the Republic of Macedonia is developing better than any other year,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, speaking at the 6th Thessaloniki Development Conference, organized by the Hellenic Center of Research and Development, for the possibilities that Macedonia has for further tourism development, but also for the initiatives that have been taken to achieve this goal.

Mr. Kikilias noted that the exceptional season of 2022 has given a strong boost to this year’s tourism season, while at the same time important development projects have been launched both by the government and by international giants that come and invest in our country.

He added that “using all the available financial tools RRF, PDE, NSRF, we are proceeding with important infrastructure projects – ports, marinas, jetties – highlighting our thematic products – ski resorts, mountain refuges, mountain trails, wine tourism, gastronomy – but and in sustainability projects – solid waste and water resources management, electrification, renewable energy sources – as sustainable tourism development is a sign for 2023”, while he pointed out that at the same time the campaigns continue throughout the year, with the aim of highlighting the of Greece as an ideal destination for 12-month tourism.

The Minister of Tourism also stated that during his visits to areas of Macedonia, he has found that there are very large possibilities for further tourism upgrading and has motivated municipalities, regions, port funds and private individuals to take advantage of the available financial tools by participating in these programs, as all these investments will give added value and a significant boost to the tourism product of the region.

Mr. Kikilias, referring to the tourism development of Macedonia, explained that he will carry out familiarization trips to promote the tourist product in countries such as Saudi Arabia, with the aim of having flights from these countries for the first time in 2023. In addition, he clarified that the effort continues in cooperation with the Region and the “Macedonia” airport, for direct flights from the USA that will bring high spenders travelers to the city and the wider region, who will significantly strengthen the local economies.

At the same time, as he noted, connectivity is increasing with additional flights, bringing as an illustrative example the increase in Kavala – Athens flights, which was announced this week, while the cruise in the port of Thessaloniki in 2022 was 10 times more compared to 2019. with a significant increase in homeporting.

As Mr. Kikilias mentioned, in 2023 the performances are expected to be even higher, while the promotion of Thessaloniki as an ideal destination for a city break brought tangible results. In fact, he noted that the campaign will continue this year for the further promotion of urban tourism.

Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki, SYRIZA’s head of tourism, Katerina Notopoulou, pointed out, for her part, that “it is a critical time, but this is the right time to redesign Macedonia’s tourism product and strengthen the Macedonia brand”.

“Both the benefits of the Prespa Agreement, as well as the efforts of local actors, have led to the development of tourism in Macedonia and the upgrading of the region’s potential”, he emphasized and added: “What is missing is a national plan, is the support of the regional local plans, that is, we need to strengthen the brand, giving all those development possibilities that the region needs: infrastructure, support for small and medium entrepreneurship, support for employees, but also highlighting alternative new forms of tourism”.

The president of the Panhellenic Federation of Hotels (POX) and president of the Halkidiki Hotel Union Grigoris Tasios underlined that “now we have to become “sprinters””, explaining that we need to “develop speeds to gain the lost ground and the lost time” and pointing out that according to the most recent INSETE data, the general satisfaction index of Athens and Thessaloniki against competing cities for November 2022 is extremely satisfactory. Thessaloniki and Athens outperform all other destinations [Αθήνα (85,7%), Θεσσαλονίκη (83,9%), Βαρκελώνη (83,2%), Μπολόνια (81,1%) και Ρώμη (81,0%), ενώ στις τελευταίες θέσεις βρίσκονται, η Κωνσταντινούπολη (80,5%) η Μασσαλία (78,4%) και η Σμύρνη (76,7%)]he emphasized.

“I don’t know if it’s a Macedonian brand, but it’s definitely a Thessaloniki gem. At least these are the words of the people who gave us a footjob, if we judge from the Spanish journalist whom we hosted just yesterday and she said: “This Thessaloniki is something else!”. The other thing should become more known to more people and that’s why we are here too”, stated, in her own position, the deputy governor of Central Macedonia, Voula Patoulidou.

“It is no longer a figure of speech to say that tourism is the heavy industry of our country”, said the mayor of Thermaikos Georgios Tsamaslis, emphasizing: “It is a reality, in which we invest with infrastructures such as these, which are attractive. In addition to this, the personnel employed in tourism are specialized and we have become a very attractive tourist destination because in addition to urban tourism, we also have beaches in Central Macedonia and I will say about the municipality of Thermaikos with 52 thousand beaches, which have and the luxury of being very clean, being very close to the city.”

RES-EMP

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