TUI to trial extended summer season for Greece
TUI Travel is hoping to trial an extended summer season to Greece for 2015 by starting to sell earlier departures.
The tour operator said that plans between the Greek Government and their Greek partners were still to be agreed.
But TUI chief executive Peter Long said: "The relationship that we have built with this beautiful country over the last 50 years is a strong one and one that we are proud of. We will continue to invest in the future of Greece, working in close cooperation with the Government. This includes trialling an earlier start to our 2015 Summer Season."
Long told the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, that the company aimed for the growth in passenger numbers for 2015 to be similar to this year, which was 10%.
In return he asked for a greater link between local producers and hotels to help boost local economic spend and increase customer satisfaction and to encourage development in the smaller Greek islands.
He also called for improvements to the infrastructure for regional airports, roads, cruise ports and marinas and for Greece to invest in its people with modern tourism education.
Long said: "Last year, when I met the Prime Minister, we committed to increasing passenger numbers by 10%. We have achieved that, bringing some two million TUI Travel customers from across all of our source markets, exceeding our best expectations."
"Although, it’s not only about arrival numbers; it’s also about the overall economic and social benefit generated.
"We support 10,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) here in Greece and as a travel organisation; we make up roughly 10% of the total international arrivals in the country."
The tourism sector in Greece has been a significant driving force of the economic recovery and according to statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the sector is forecasted to contribute almost 20% to the Greece’s GDP this year.
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season