In her interview with the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zaharakis referred to the special dynamics with which this year began for Greek tourism, noting that this is a continuation of last year, where the performance of tourism exceeded all expectations. “In 2022, tourism exceeded all expectations, reaching, despite the global crises, the revenues of 2019 with the best performance in our history in our three largest markets – Britain, Germany, France,” he notes characteristically.

Setting the tone for the new season of 2023, Mrs. Zaharaki focused on January’s performance, stating that revenues increased by 72% and arrivals by 86% compared to 2022. In fact, she added that in the two months of January-February a 51% increase was recorded – in relation to last year’s regional airports, while overall for this year “scheduled flights are estimated at 15% more than in 2019, before the pandemic”.

Regarding her estimates for the upcoming elections, Mrs. Zaharaki notes that the government, having assumed the responsibility for correcting the chronic pathologies of the past in the railway – and not only – will continue the production of government work until the day of the elections . And in the elections, as he notes, he will claim the vote of the Greek citizens based on this overall project, but also on its proven effectiveness in dealing with global challenges, many of which are ahead of us.

The following is the full text of the interview of Sofia Zacharakis with the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency and Kostas Chalkiadakis

Q: How do you judge the tourist year of 2022 and what do you expect for the current year?

This year begins with particular momentum, after all, in continuation of last year. In 2022 tourism exceeded all expectations reaching, despite the global crises, the revenues of 2019, with the best performance in our history in our three largest markets – Britain, Germany, France. We also had an extension of the season, but also an increased role of alternative forms of tourism in the Greek tourist package.

This January, revenues increased by 72% and arrivals by 86% compared to 2022. In the two months of January-February we had a 51% increase compared to last year at regional airports, while overall for this year scheduled flights are estimated at 15% more than in 2019, before the pandemic.

And we must not forget that there is now an even better accommodation infrastructure: in the last four years, 200 new 5-star units were created (an increase of 35%), as many 4-star units and new ones are constantly being created. But there is no respite. In a difficult international environment, both the ministry and the industry are constantly working to make this year the best tourism year in our history.

Q: What was the most difficult challenge you managed as Deputy Minister of Tourism?

Certainly it was the treatment of the enormous blow of the pandemic in tourism and the necessity of the fastest possible recovery. In January 2021 when I assumed my duties, the forecasts were extremely dramatic but the work that had preceded the Ministry of Tourism with the protocols for the restart, but also the crucial initiative of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the digital certificate and the support of workers, was very important and businesses in the midst of a pandemic.

In addition, in the tourism education part, decisions were quickly taken so that hours of lessons are not lost and tele-learning works in all our schools. Despite all this, the entire industry, with hard work, planning and perseverance, managed to win the big bet on the safe opening of tourism in 2021, which led our country to the top of the European tourism recovery and paved the way for the even higher performance in 2022. Thanks to these successes, we can now in 2023 talk about Greece’s leading role in the new global tourism market that is taking shape.

Q: What is the next big goal you would like to achieve if you are in the Ministry of Tourism and after the elections?

The general objectives remain constant: First, further strengthening of the quality, balance and sustainability of the Greek tourism product. Secondly, even greater participation of alternative forms of tourism and the unique experiences that our country offers in our tourist offer and thirdly, upgrading of tourist education. All this is achieved by completing the initiatives we have already started, and with new actions that strategically focus on the individual forms of tourism, but also on its overall sustainability and innovation.

Here, the imminent start of the Recovery Fund projects, with a total budget of more than 300 million euros, of which 100 are dedicated to special forms of tourism, plays a key role. We will take full advantage of this great opportunity for the country, which, in combination with the rest of the initiatives of our National Action Plan, and always in cooperation with all the industry bodies, will implement step by step the plan for the new Greek tourism of the next decade .

Q: What is your assessment of the elections?

In my opinion, especially after the tragic accident in Tempe, election estimates and forecasts are of little importance. The government, having assumed the responsibility for correcting the chronic pathologies of the past, in the railway and beyond, will continue the production of government work until election day. And in the elections, it will claim the vote of the Greek citizens based on this overall project, but also on its proven effectiveness in dealing with global challenges, many of which lie ahead. Precisely because of these crises, we need for the next four years a strong and self-reliant government, able to make quick and effective decisions. The last thing the country needs is lack of governance, ambiguity and uncertainty, when we are faced with such great international as well as national challenges.

Q: What do you think is at stake in the elections?

We now have two completed terms to compare. On the one hand, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which, despite mistakes and omissions, has a concrete and measurable project: from how it dealt with successive global crises to what it achieved for the Greek citizens. From reducing taxes and red tape, increasing wages and pensions, economic growth and attracting investment, reducing unemployment and the upward trajectory of tourism, to digital governance and the defense and diplomatic shielding of the country, among many others. And on the other hand, the government of Alexis Tsipras with the disastrous negotiation of 2015, the closed banks, the jeopardizing of our European position and the international discredit of Greece, the crushing of the middle class, the caressing of all the sick attitudes of the Greek public.

And the dilemmas are clear: Who produced measurable work raising the country’s international standing? Who has managed crises better and can therefore do so in the future? And who has the will to clash with morbid pathologies that in some areas still hold our country back, such as for example with the issue of public evaluation, which the current government started and is intensifying, while the opposition – even after Tempi – abhors and fighting?

So the choice is clear: will we go forward to achieve even more with Kyriakos Mitsotakis with consistency and seriousness, or will we go back to the failed governance of Alexis Tsipras, with instability and toxicity?

Q: Regarding your constituency, what message are you sending to the electorate?

Eastern Attica is one of the most dynamically developing regions of the country. Contrary to the general trend of the census, there is an increase in population, but also a large increase in investment. My goal is for Eastern Attica to emerge as a model, not only for economic development, but also for the quality of life for its residents. Alternative forms of tourism are at the top of its enormous development potential. In constant contact with the municipalities as well as the local bodies of the public and private sector, we develop more and more initiatives to highlight the special forms of tourism in Eastern Attica, with an emphasis on culinary tourism and wine tourism, religious, eco-tourism (caves, trails) sports, but also cultural and wellness tourism as well as a destination for exhibitions and conferences.

And of course Eastern Attica is also a focal point for the development of tourism throughout Attica and the country with strategic infrastructures, such as our central airport and a dynamic cruise industry. It is enough to think that this year in Lavrio we had 95,000 cruise passengers, up from 0 in 2019! My desire, then, is to contribute with all my strength to accelerating and intensifying this upward trend of Eastern Attica. And it would be the greatest honor for me if my fellow citizens in Eastern Attica chose me to serve them from the responsible position of deputy.