Greece’s 2021 Tourism Performance a ‘Pleasant Surprise’, Says Head of Hoteliers

Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Grigoris Tasios.

Greece’s tourism performance this year was a pleasant surprise, Hellenic Hoteliers Federation President Grigoris Tasios said on Monday during his visit to the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

Speaking to the media, Tasios said Greece’s tourism revenue this year has already reached half of 2019 earnings while the season continues in many areas of the country.

“We believe that September will also be a good month,” he said.

According to Tasios, the encouraging data paves the way towards an even better 2022 for the tourism sector.

“It seems that we will reach 45 to 50 percent of 2019 revenue in almost all destinations and this will lead to a normal 2022,” he said to the press.

Referring to northern Greece, the federation’s president said that although although road tourism arrivals from the Balkans are expected to drop after mid-September, Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport will continue to welcome flights and passengers from markets such as Germany and the UK.

Commenting on the performance of destinations, Tasios said that for 2021 the South Aegean Region, which includes islands of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, saw the most overnight stays for another year.

Moreover, the federation’s president told the media that Greece achieved quite high levels in tourism this year thanks to the support offered by the state to professionals who were up against unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.