Success in Greek tourism has not come by chance

This year’s increased tourist flows and travel receipts, which will exceed even those of the “easy-going” 2019, prove that tourism is the country’s heavy industry and a key “blood donor” of the national economy.

In 2022, we managed to upgrade the Greek tourism product, we made strategic agreements, extended the tourist season and promoted abroad new beautiful destinations of our country. With a specific and well-thought-out plan, we have been able to strengthen the commercial world, the average Greek family, the primary sector and the hundreds of professions related to tourism. At the same time, we are bringing significant investments to Greece, resulting in new jobs being created, local economies being strengthened and our country being upgraded even further on the global tourism map. Already 83 new investments have been launched for 5-star and 4-star hotels with more than 100 beds, while 10 new tourist ports are in the process of being planned.

Success in Greek tourism has not come by chance, nor is it automatic. The champions of the summer are built in the winter. In the preceding months we worked hard and methodically to achieve these results today and to talk about record revenues. We have achieved all this in a year of many and repeated adversities. With war in the heart of Europe, high prices, inflation, Greek-Turkish conflicts, with the markets of Ukraine, Russia and China closed. Showing quick reflexes, we managed to balance any losses by opening up new markets that brought to Greece not just more tourists, but high spenders.

All this is the result of a collective and team effort. Tourism development requires the cooperation of all those involved: The Government and the Ministry of Tourism, professional associations, regional and local authorities, traders, catering entrepreneurs. And, of course, all tourism workers, who – working many times in extremely adverse conditions – always have a smile for the visitors of our country, who experience the unique Greek hospitality. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Together, we all continue with the aim that tourism continues to support the country, in this difficult period we are going through.

Minister of Tourism
Vassilis Kikilias