Statements by the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilia, on the upgrade of the “Greece” brand
The Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, referred to the very positive data that are constantly coming from international and European organizations and that demonstrate the continued upgrading and strength of the “Greece” brand in an interview on the ANT1 show “Morning Greece”.
As Mr. Kikilias said, according to a World Travel Market survey, in the top ten European tourist destinations that recorded the largest increases compared to 2019, 6 are in Greece, with Mykonos and Rhodes to register an increase of 29%, Chania 26%, Heraklion 23%, Santorini 20% and Thessaloniki – Halkidiki 19%, while Athens is also very high in urban tourism (3rd place).
In addition, in the US, Greece shows the largest increase (22%) from all overseas destinations for the Independence Day holiday.
Equally important, however, is that destinations in Greece that do not have a strong brand, this year “lit up” with the result that they not only record high occupancy rates, but that bookings reach the end of the year.
“Thassos is full, we put Kastoria on the tourist map, where I will go tomorrow. Epirus – which was the poorest region in Europe a few years ago – has become a destination, with Ioannina, Metsovo, Aristi, Papigo having travelers in winter, weekends and summer. We support these alternative destinations. Aegina has 92% occupancy and in the Peloponnese the tourist season, from what it seems, will go until November. The German Condor and InterTouristic, as well as the French tour operators, are asking for packages for October, November and December, and I also make a statement: The tourist season this year will end in December,” said the Minister of Tourism.
Regarding the Social Tourism program “Tourism for all” which is aimed at 200,000 beneficiaries, Mr. Kikilias announced that the platform will open at the end of the week, explaining that the process will be very simple and with the immaterial digital card, the most financially weak citizens will be able to enjoy holidays with their families in beautiful destinations of the country.
“We have so many beautiful islands that do not have a strong brand, northern Greece with so much beauty, the Peloponnese, Epirus, Central Greece. Anywhere in Greece one can find places to have magical holidays for all wallets, for all wallets. I will tell you a personal experience: Karpathos and Kasos are between Rhodes and Crete in the southeast Aegean. It has 110 beaches, a magical island. It has very cheap accommodation and very cheap health shops. Our beautiful country has too many options,” Mr. Kikilias emphasized.
Finally, the Minister of Tourism stated that the people of Turkey are not influenced by the rhetoric of their country’s leadership and this is proven by the number of travelers visiting the Greek islands. As he said, many islands in the eastern Aegean such as Lesbos, Chios, Kos, Symi, Halki and Rhodes are full of travelers from Turkey, especially after the opening of daily ferry routes connecting the southeastern Aegean with the Asia Minor coasts.
RES-EMP
View the news feed and get the latest news.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
