North Hellenic excursionists, who have already made their holiday reservations for destinations inside and outside the Greek borders, have taken care to secure a breath of relief from everyday life for the days of Christmas, New Year and Lights.

This is emphasized by the president of the Association of Tourist Agents of Macedonia and Thrace Theologis Byron, speaking to APE-MPE, noting that this year’s reservations for the holiday season are 25% more than last year’s corresponding period.

In fact, as he pointed out, a percentage 60% of holiday trippers chose to travel abroad during the holiday season Christmas, 30% New Year and 10% Lights.

From 19 to 70 years old, everyone… out

This year’s significant differences include, according to him, the dynamic reappearance of the category of 55+ for excursions inside and outside the Greek borders, with main destinations: London, Paris, Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Rome and Milan.

There is also an increase in the interest of students, aged from 19 years oldfor trips abroad, mainly to London, Paris and Rome.

“Tourist operators are still surprised by the speed with which they are done “sold out” the excursions to exotic and truly far away places such as – among others – Tunisia, Thailand, Vietnam, Canada, New York and Santa’s village in Lapland.

“These are air organized tours from 9 to 12 days and as soon as we make them known, excursionists aged 30-50 close them immediately” points out Mr. Byron clarifying that “this category of excursionists made a strong entry last year and this year there has been a real explosion in their interest in this type of excursion.”

The most popular destinations, as highlighted by Northern Helladic excursionists

With their choices, the travelers from Northern Greece again this year singled out as the most popular air destinations Vienna – especially the melodic and classical, at a rate of 30%, and follow: Budapest, Prague, London, Paris, Barcelona, ​​Rome, Sicily, Cyprus and Dubai.

Tourists who choose destinations in neighboring countrieswhich is why again this year as the most popular among the country’s “neighbors” are the Sophia and Bansko in Bulgaria and the Bucharest in Romania.

And a bit of Greece

In terms of road tourism and within the country, Arachova, Nafplio, Elati and Pertouli, Metsovo, Ioannina, Agios Athanasios, Grevena and Florina, are the ones that win in the preferences of excursionists.

Occupancies already range from 60% to 100% and prices remain at last year’s levels and “at half the cost of air travel”.