Easter: Greeks travel from Poros to… Bali for holidays

A new historical record is expected to be recorded by the tourist traffic during Easter, as a result of which it will even surpass pre-pandemic levels.

Easter holidaymakers are leaving urban centerssing all available means, as most areas, both on the mainland and on islands, have occupancies that even exceed 90%.

According to industry bodies, Greek tourism will most likely exceed the levels of 2019.

Easter with the local customs, was missed by many in the previous years, with the result that several villages this year claim the honors of the past. In Parnassos and Arachova the occupancy reaches 80%. “It snowed yesterday, so it’s fresh and the ski resort is open. Arachova has 80% occupancy,” say the businessmen.

Nafplio, Kastoria, Pieria, Messinia, Xylokastro, Meteora, Porto Heli and Zagorochoria show the greatest demand.

Islands

Mykonos and Santorini may claim significant shares of the incoming tourist stream during the Easter period, however most Greek islands are betting on the Easter days to increase their tourist flows and enter the new tourist season with the right hand. As for example, island destinations such as Corfu, Rhodes, Patmos, Crete, Zakynthos, Chios, Mytilini, Syros, Skyros, Kythira.

Those who choose nearby destinations will have the choice of a cheaper package.

One of them is Poros. Poros can be visited by road, since it is only 160 km from Athens. For Poros, a family of four can go all the way to Galatas and pay 24 euros for gas and 4 euros for tolls. The departures of the small ferries are every 30 minutes, the ticket price is 1 euro for each family member and from 6.5 euro for the car.

If someone chooses going by boat, they will pay 32 euros per person, that is, a group of 4 will pay 256 euros round trip.

Easter in religious destinations

There are quite a few who will spend Easter on the island of Tinos, since this year the occupancy even reaches 100%, as the religious element is particularly strong.

Despite this, many young people have already arrived in Tinos this year. “I think it will be one of the best Easters and our island will be very crowded,” say local businessmen.

This year Andros follows the traditions and creates the necessary religious demeanor that the days of Holy Week impose.

The spectacular sparklers on the night of the Resurrection are not missing from the events. Since March, houses and hotels are getting ready to welcome tourists.

“Occupancy is at 80-90% and the prices are for all wallets”.

Easter in Bali

Organized trips to exotic Bali and Cuba have been sold out for two months now.

“Even the faraway destinatios, like Bali, were in great demand. Cuba was sold out early on. Bali comes in at €2,000 and Cuba at €2,500. Cuba was full two months ago,” says the travel agent, Maria Aligaki.

All the data of pre-bookings and bookings of the first quarter, show that 2023 will develop better than the excellent touristic 2022.

As far as foreign destinations are concerned, Greeks prefer European destinations such as Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, the south of France, Paris, Budapest, Strasbourg, Cyprus, Vienna, Bruges and also America.

In addition, Jerusalem, Constantinople and Egypt, due to their Patriarchates, are for another year a pole of attraction for Greeks, in the context of the religious mood.

In general, so far, most bookings concern trips abroad, with a ratio of 7 (foreign) to 3 (Greece).