![Crete starts the tourist season earlier than any other year](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/crete-balos-scaled.jpg)
Earlier than any other year, the tourist season started in Crete and the industry bodies on the island are rightly talking about a year that will move at a record pace, surpassing the tourist figures of 2022 and also of 2019. According to the president of the Hoteliers’ Union of Heraklion, Nikos Chalkiadakis, by March 31, 74 flights from abroad will have landed at Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion, with an occupancy rate of approximately 70%.
Tourism in Crete is revving up
It is characteristic, however, that Chania also started the new tourist season strongly, since as reflected in Insete’s statistical tool, the Recovery Tracker, the scheduled air seats for I. Daskalogiannis airport for the period from 3/20 to 3/26 amount to 32,676 seats. They are visitors from Denmark, the majority of them, but also from Sweden and Spain. At this moment in time, 35% of the hotel units have opened their gates in Crete in order to welcome the first customers, while shortly before Easter it is estimated that all the hotels on the island will be open. April Fool’s Day is, moreover, the date on which, not only in Crete, but also throughout Greece, the hotel industry kicks off the new tourist year, with most Resorts starting activities.
It is also recalled that the revenues of the Region of Crete from tourism in 2021 represented 23% (3.058 billion euros) of the country’s total revenues, while the direct contribution of tourism to the Region’s GDP amounted to 33%, according to relevant data . In terms of the number of employed people, in the Region of Crete in the period 2015-2019, there was an increase of 21% (from 209,000 in 2015 to 253,000 in 2019). Individually, all categories saw an increase: other industries (22%, from 174,000 in 2015 to 213,000 in 2019), catering (4%, from 20,000 in 2015 to 21,000 in 2019) and accommodation (27%, from 15,000 in 2015 to 19,000). in 2019). In the period 2019-2021, the employed in the Region of Crete decreased by 9% (from 253,000 in 2019 to 231,000 in 2021).
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_0559-600x399.jpg)
Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue
Τhe conflagration in northeast Attica prefecture (greater Athens area) erupted instantaneously amid gusty winds near the township of Varnavas, before spreading south towards Mt. Penteli
![Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/industry.jpg)
Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024
The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.
![Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cash-600x338.jpg)
Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe
Police said woman, 49, was nabbed 'red-handed' after receiving a folder filled with 4,000€, ostensibly to 'facilitate' the issuance of a disability pension
![Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gps-navigator-in-the-car-P3ACQVK-1-600x364.jpg)
Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024
The Kipoi (Kipi) border station recorded the highest absolute increase, with 457,000 arrivals, an increase of 115,000 or 33.5%.
![Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_1061985551-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers
The Athens Medical Association offers tips to prevent accidents and health problems during the summer holidays.
![Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/vat-2048x1536-1-600x450.jpg)
Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days
Greece’s independent tax bureau, AADE, announced the two-day deadline extension this week, given that the previous deadline of Aug. 31 fell on a Saturday
![Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02tourismos10-600x375.jpg)
Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism
The independent economic research business based in London appears reassuring regarding the effects of climate change on tourist activity.
![Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_620538449-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe
Starting next year, foreign nationals planning to study in Europe will be required to present ETIAS approval for entry and short-term stays.
![Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ice-cream-@OT-600x400.jpg)
Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest
Ice cream in Greece is becoming a costly pleasure with a liter selling for at least 3.7 euros in 2023, among Europe's most expensive.
![Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/eurobank-1-600x373.jpg)
Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank
Looking ahead, Eurobank aims to fully integrate Hellenic Bank’s accounting operations, with this process slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024.