“In the first quarter of 2022, the receipts in the tourist product increased by 342% compared to the corresponding period last year”, noted the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias in an interview given to ANT1 television station.
As Mr. Kikilias underlined, the incoming travel traffic also increased this year by 295% compared to last year. He spoke with specific examples from well-known tourist destinations, such as the islands of the southern and southeastern Aegean, where – as he said – in May this year, both tourist traffic and revenue, recorded an average increase of 10% compared with the corresponding performance of May 2019.
Cruises
“Only for June, we expect 500 cruise ships in Greece,” stressed the Minister of Tourism. Mr. Kikilias also referred to the record of arrivals of American tourists in our country. Mr. Kikilias again spoke of the 9 daily flights from the USA that started on March 7. Americans are considered “high spending” travelers, who leave a large income in shops, hotels, in the city, in the country.
In fact, as the Minister of Tourism added, the tourist flow from the USA is so strong that the companies themselves are utilizing larger aircraft, as there are no vacancies until the end of the summer season. Indicative of the positive messages from tour operators abroad is the fact that contracts are already being made for the summer of 2023, said Mr. Kikilias, citing Easy Jet and Jet 2 as examples.
Alternative destinations
“Currently, the occupancy in Halki, Symi, Astypalea, Kastelorizo is extremely high. We support alternative destinations. We gave impetus to the cruise industry. Only in the port of Thessaloniki, the increase in cruises, at the moment, exceeds 250%. We enhance the tourism product even in non-traditional destinations of the country,” said the Minister of Tourism.
Finally, regarding the “Tourism for All” program, which starts on July 1st, Mr. Kikilias stressed that this is a 30 million euro (up from 20 million last year) program with a new form and structure and with almost zero bureaucracy.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
First Step Towards New Audiovisual Industry Hub in Drama
The project is set to contribute to the further development of Greece’s film industry and establish Drama as an audiovisual hub in the region
Airbnb Greece – Initial CoS Ruling Deems Tax Circular Unlawful
The case reached the Council of State following annulment applications filed by the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA)
Mitsotakis Unveils €1 Billion Plan for Housing, Pensioners, Public investments
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a new set of economic support measures, worth 1 billion euros, aiming to provide financial relief to citizens.
Alter Ego Ventures Invests in Pioneering Gaming Company ‘Couch Heroes’
Alter Ego Ventures' participation in the share capital of Couch Heroes marks yet another investment by the Alter Ego Media Group in innovative companies with a focus on technology.
Corruption Still Plagues Greece’s Driving Tests
While traffic accidents continue to claim lives on Greek roads daily, irregularities and under-the-table dealings in the training and testing of new drivers remain disturbingly widespread
Pope Francis Died of Stroke and Heart Failure Vatican Confirms
As news of the official cause of death spread, tributes poured in from across the globe. The 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church is united in grief, remembering a pope who championed inclusion, justice, and compassion
Increase in Both Museum Visits, Revenues for 2024
As expected, the Acropolis was the top archeological site in the country, followed by Sounion, Mycenae, the ancient theater of Epidaurus, and Vergina in northern Greece
Where Greece’s Tourists Come From: A Look at 2025’s Top Visitor Markets
The United Kingdom continues to hold the top spot as the largest source of incoming tourism, with 5.6 million seats booked for Greece this summer — up 2.2% from last year. This accounts for 20% of all international air traffic to Greece
Pope Francis: A Pontiff Who Reshaped the Papacy and Sparked a Global Conversation
His first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica—“Brothers and sisters, good evening”—set the tone for a pontificate that would challenge norms, favor mercy over dogma, and bring the papacy closer to the people.
When Blue Skies was Unmasked as ND’s Political ‘Slush Fund’
The fact that so many top New Democracy (ND) party cadres were paid by the firm Blue Skies, owned by Thomas Varvitsiotis and Yiannis Olympios, without ever citing this publicly, raises very serious moral issues, regardless of the legality
![Πλημμύρες: Σημειώθηκαν σε επίπεδα ρεκόρ στην Ευρώπη το 2024 [γράφημα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FLOOD_HUNGRY-90x90.jpg)
![Ξενοδοχεία: Μεγάλο το ενδιαφέρον για επενδύσεις στην Ελλάδα – Η θέση της Αθήνας [γραφήματα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Athens-hotels-90x90.jpg)
