Chios is an island for all “lovers”, as the president of the Hoteliers’ Association of Chios, Antigoni Maistralis, pointed out
THE Chiosthe fifth largest island of Greece, is one destination that those who visit it, in the majority of them revisit it many times. Many people know Chios, but it has not yet conquered the part of the international and domestic market that it deserves, according to tourism operators.
“Suffering” in recent years due to repeated crises and with little to no flights from abroad (from 2016 onwards), Chios made an almost 180 degree turn and came back strongly in 2022 on the tourist map. Now, with the airport upgrade underway, it is entering a “new” trajectory, with strategy and targeted actions, reorganizing itself and aiming to become a premium destination.
“From now on, we look to 2030. We see far and want to turn Chios into a premium destination. 2022 was a very rewarding year, with the island having tourism until November. Until September, it was mainly tourists from Greece and various places abroad who chose the island for their holidays, but we continued to have people from Turkey”, said the president of the Hoteliers’ Union of Chios, Antigoni Maistralis, speaking to APE-MPE.
“In July and August the island was full. We had more people than expected. Of course, social tourism also helped, as did the cooperation we developed with Northern Greece. New people came to the island, as what is customary in Chios is repeat visitors – repeaters – at a rate of 85%. And September was unexpectedly good”, noted Ms. Maistralis.
“The island continues to receive people, mainly from Turkey, as we are the closest gate, we are only 20 minutes away and we have already opened with specific packages, in ten markets of the East. After all, it is an island with life all year round. That’s why we also appeal to digital nomads. About 50,000 people live in Chios, with the city gathering 35,000 inhabitants. Our villages are “alive” all year round. We live and work on the island throughout the year,” explained the president of the Hoteliers’ Association.
Chios is an island for all the “valandians”, as the president pointed out, and its new face is shaped by the great investment interest that is noted and the investments that are starting to be made on the island, starting with a five-star hotel, which is expected in one year to be put into operation.
At the same time, the Municipality, the Chamber, the Association of Hoteliers, Catering and businesses in the primary sector are creating synergies and have already set up a Tourism Organization to which the Winemakers and the Fishermen have joined and are working on the triptych “Chiotic land, Chiotic hospitality and Chios taste”.
For its part, the municipality has dynamically turned to strengthening the tourist product, developing alternative tourism, while the island’s infrastructure is being upgraded.
“It is very essential, when we talk about the development of tourism, that it goes hand in hand with the development of infrastructure. And we are moving in this direction, primarily with the projects being carried out at the airport which will radically change the outlook of the island, as the runway will be completed by the end of 2023 and the upgrading of the building infrastructure in 2025. Projects are also being carried out and for the improvement of the building facilities of the customs office, from the immigration ministry and the port fund and this will significantly help tourism”, underlined the Deputy Mayor for Tourism of Chios, Konstantinos Verginas.
The municipality invests significantly in hiking and cycling, as Mr. Verginas noted, it has organized the hiking routes of the island, to which a project of the Region will be added. At the same time, they have created a bike park and special bike routes, as well as mountain road races. “There are also the thermal baths, with a special operating sign and with all the specifications, in a decent condition while the studies for the modernization of the thermal center are mature,” added the deputy mayor.
Chios is an island where one can enjoy nature. Mastichoria, Kampos, the beaches, the mountain, the quality and unique local products, the gastronomy and special tastes, such as the Chiot mandarin, the olives, the wine, the ouzo make up an attractive tourist destination.
“The island did very well touristically in relation to the hospitality it has. It should be noted that we have approximately 50 hotels – members of the Hotel Chamber – and we are seeking investments for which there is interest from Europe as well.
“Chios is changing. With the upgraded airport we will have international flights. There is already increased interest for 2024 from various markets abroad, but also for 2023 – with flights that will be carried out with small aircraft until the projects are completed – from Turkey, Cyprus, Italy and Romania”, added the Deputy Mayor of Tourism.
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