WTM 2015: Greece to Target the Shoulder Season

Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura.

Greece will focus on attracting tourists in the shoulder and non-peak season months, Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said on the opening day of the World Travel Market (WTM) in London on Monday.

“The national policy for tourism is simple: we want to prolong the season”, Ms Kountoura said during a networking event of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

“To accomplish this, we definitely need the regions with us and the contribution of the locals to open up new markets and develop and promote thematic forms of tourism.”

“If things go well and according to schedule, I believe that Greece can be among the five most popular worldwide destinations”, she said.

On her part, GNTO UK Director Christina Kalogera revealed that the organization is in the process of preparing new promotional campaigns for next year, promoting innovative and unique Greece holiday experiences that will showcase the country’s culture, nature, city break and sustainable tourism options.

She added that Greece is not just for sea and sun vacations but has endless options to cover the demand of holidaymakers during the shoulder months.

“The main message we are trying to promote is that Greece is a destination where you are truly spoiled with choice”, Ms Kalogera said.

According to Chris Wright, the managing director for Sunvil Group, extending Greece’s tourism season needs to be handled very carefully.

“It is much more difficult than just putting a flight in, selling cheap holidays and sending people to a destination”, he said during the event.

“It needs to be done and thought through in conjunction with the regions and with the help of the tourist board to make sure that it is a slow and sustainable growth.”

Greece’s tourism industry expects 2015 to be another record year for arrivals and revenue with arrivals reaching 26 million and revenue of 14.5 billion euros.

GTP is an official media partner of WTM London 2015.