Greece heralds 2018 as ‘best year for tourism’
Greek tourism is set to exceed its target of more than 32 million arrivals by the end of this year, followed by a double-digit growth in revenue.
Despite the impact of political negotiations, geopolitical challenges and the refugee crisis, in the last four years the country has achieved a 33% rise in inbound tourism and each year arrivals and revenue growth have smashed records.
Arrivals, including cruise arrivals, topped 30 million international arrivals in 2017.
Air arrivals increased by more than 12% in September and almost two million additional air-seats were added for 2018, reflecting the strong demand.
Speaking at World Travel Market on Tuesday, Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura said the tourism industry had ‘performed a small miracle’ for the Greek economy.
"The results we achieved in travel and tourism have a very positive impact in our economy, which is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2018 and 2.5% in 2019, the highest rates of growth in the last decade," she said.
"In this new era that has began for Greece and the Greek economy, with everything we have achieved in tourism, our goal is to maintain this strong momentum and grow even more."
She said the UK market, which has grown 10% this year to 3.2 million tourists, will be a top priority.
Kountoura outlined a growth plan, which includes special programmes to increase capacity and upgrade the quality of four- and five-star hotels and to attract investments in health and wellness, golf, MICE, sports and recreation, and theme parks.
Greece also plans to develop more than six new home-ports for cruises, alongside a network of large and medium-size marinas.
"Our plans include specific programmes for ‘open businesses 365 days a year’ in Greek destinations ready to support them throughout the year, as well as programmes for specialised training for our sector’s workforce in thematic products and services," she added.
"I would like to thank our UK holidaymakers for choosing Greece. I expect this strong dynamic from the UK will continue in 2019."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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