Greek Tourism Minister Invites Germans To Holiday In Greece

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni invited Germans to spend their summer holidays in Greece and assured that they will feel right at home.

In a recent interview to Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, Mrs. Kefalogianni said Germans are welcome in Greece as “hospitality is part of our national identity.”

The Greek tourism minister is currently in Berlin on the occasion of Greece’s participation in the leading international tourism exhibition ITB that opens on 5 March.

During the interview, Mrs. Kefalogianni said Germany was the top source country for Greece in 2013 and this year arrivals from the country are expected to surge.

“Last year was a good year for Greek tourism and 2014 will be even better, according to bookings so far,” she said.

Last year was considered a record-breaking tourism season for Greece as arrivals and revenue were both up by 20 percent. According to the Bank of Greece, the country welcomed 17.92 million arrivals and registered an all-time record in revenues of some 12 billion euros.

“A holiday in our country is the most effective form of European solidarity,” Mrs. Kefalogianni concluded.

Tourism accounts for 15 percent of the Greek economy.