Kikilias: Over 1 million visitors in the first week of August

The impact of our tourism product on the national economy was mentioned by the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview he gave to MEGA TV and the show “Society hour MEGA”, with Nikitas Koronakis and Stella Stylianou.

“Tourism contributes to the support of the average Greek family”, noted Mr Minister of Tourismbringing as the most characteristic example the significant increase in May’s revenues in accommodation and catering services compared to May 2019, as confirmed by the latest data from ELSTAT.

As said by Mr. Kikiliasthe turnover of accommodation in May jumped, exceeding half a billion euros -26 million more than in May 2019- while the turnover of businesses in the catering sector increased by 40 million euros, compared to the corresponding period of 2019.

“These figures show, in practice, that money from tourism flows directly into the real economy. This is very important to support the average Greek business, the workers in the sector and all those professions connected – directly or indirectly – with our tourism product, from hotels and accommodation, trade, the primary sector and our farmers, to the construction industry. And I am very happy that in such a difficult situation – with war in the heart of Europe, energy crisis and inflation – the surplus from our tourist product gives us the possibility to practically support our fellow citizens”, he emphasized.

The Minister of Tourism also underlined the dynamic course demonstrated by the figures of air arrivals from abroad. As he said, in July, incoming international flights exceed 950,000 per week, while, in the first week of August alone, we expect almost 1 million tourists at the airports of our country.

“The destinations that are very high in the preferences of our visitors from abroad – after the airports of Athens and Thessaloniki – are the islands of the south-eastern Aegean and the Cyclades, Crete and Corfu. The response to the “Greece” brand is huge, not only in our traditionally popular destinations, but also in alternative destinations,” added Mr. Kikilias, reiterating that the goal is for this year’s tourist season to coincide with the end of the year, in December.

In this context, the Minister of Tourism referred to the strategy of extending the tourist season that has been implemented since last autumn and to the strong interest of large tour operators from northern Europe – especially from Germany – for special competitive packages for northern European citizens who will want to visit in the winter months in our country.

“We invite all the Northern Europeans, the Scandinavians and of course the Germans who wish to spend the difficult – due to the energy crisis – winter in Greece. We offer them a mild climate, organized hotel businesses and shops of health interest, quality infrastructure and a unique experience. These are, after all, tourists who – anyway – choose our country for holidays until the end of November. Why, then, should they not do it for the rest of the winter months as well?”, noted Mr. Kikilias.

He added that this initiative – which is linked to the extension of the tourist season – is a great added value in revenue for local communities, supports businesses and workers in the tourism industry. “Our aim is to subsidize jobs so that workers – especially seasonal workers – can stay in their jobs,” said the Minister of Tourism.

Referring, finally, to the images left behind by the fire in Attica, Mr. Kikilias spoke about the effects of climate change that is testing all of Europe, pointing out that the state will stand by those affected. “The protection of human life is first and foremost. Criticism is legitimate. However, it is good at this moment for the tones to drop and the criticism to be made at the end of this great effort. We are talking about our firefighters who risk their lives for us. And these people deserve all our respect and support”, concluded the Minister of Tourism.

View the news feed and get the latest news.