Tourism Min.: Revenues in 2023 will be above those of 2019

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias appeared optimistic that tourism revenues this year will be higher than the 2019 record.

Speaking to Parapolitika fm 90.1, he emphasized that “Easter passed with almost 100% occupancy in the branded and alternative destinations in the country and this satisfies us very much because this revenue goes to the real economy. It is a very important injection and stimulation of liquidity and unmediated money for the Greeks.

Asked about what the bar has been set for this year’s income from tourism, he noted that “One that has not stopped tourists and travelers coming to Athens and Greece and the tourist season has been extended and revenues will be clearly above 2019 and 2022”, while he added that “Some say that Greece will possibly exceed 19 billion and approach 20 billion, it remains to be seen at the end of the year. However, the first indications from the pre-bookings and the data from El. Venizelos airport and the regional airports and from the cruise industry for January – February and March 2023 are of the order of 20% above 2019”. He also noted that the first indications from pre-bookings are 20% more than in 2019.

Good shopping and cruising

Regarding how tourists spend their money in Greece, Mr. Kikilias said that “there are specific markets that leave a lot of money in Greek society. The American market is the first because with the dollar-euro ratio, Americans were given the opportunity to spend a lot. It is very expensive for the average traveler from America. Added Canada this year”

With regard to the cruise, he noted that in 2022 the number of cruise ships in Greece will have quadrupled or quintupled. The cruise sector is doing fantastically. “We invested strategically in the cruise sector, especially Thessaloniki, which was far behind, and we were justified. We arrived in ’22 with five to six times the number of cruises than in ’21. We will surpass 100 in ’23. The cruise sector has an increase of 20% and will by far pass the record year of 2019, with the most successful port being the port of Piraeus and home porting of 55%. This means that 1 in 2 travelers come to the city, stay in the hotels, eat in the restaurants, shop in the shops and then leave for their cruise,” he said.

Elections

Beyond that, Mr. Kikilias pointed out that he has asked the professionals in the field to offer well-paid jobs.

He estimated that the elections will not affect tourism, while he said that the goal of ruling New Democracy party is self-reliance.

Finally, he underlined that if the Greek people mandate cooperation, the parties should collaborate.