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Greece Prepares Two New Campaigns to Win Over Tourists in Winter, Spring

Photo source: @Visit Greece

The Greek Τourism Μinistry and the Greek National Tourism Organization will be launching two campaigns to promote Greece as a winter and spring destination, the country’s tourism minister Vassilis Kikilias announced this week.

In an interview to Open television, Kikilias said the first campaign is scheduled to run in November, December and January showcasing winter options and the second, early in spring when many package holidays are finalized.

“We will also support alternative forms of tourism and you will see measurable results,” he said. “This year there will be tourism in April and May,” he said referring to talks already underway with major international tour operators and hospitality groups like TUI and Accor.

Mount Athos, Simonopetra Monastery. Photo Source: Visit Greece / H. Kakarouhas

Mount Athos, Simonopetra Monastery. Photo Source: Visit Greece / H. Kakarouhas

Kikilias said there was plenty of untapped wealth in Greece, much of which in Northern Greece and the Mount Athos peninsula.

He also said efforts were being made to boost tourism to Thessaloniki by establishing the city as a cruise home port. He added that Greek authorities were also in negotiations with Eastern European countries and Russia to maintain a steady and open flow of travelers.

Kikilias said he expects the tourism dynamic to hold strong in the coming months, adding that hotel occupancy for the September 13-19 period reached 63 percent and that bookings are still solid on the islands in October and November.

Vassilis Kikilias

Tourism Minister Vasilis Kikilias

Demand is so high, Kikilias said, that German carrier Condor will continue its flights to Crete in November and UK leisure airline Jet2 is planning to launch flights to Greek destinations and Athens in April. Greece also managed to win over French travelers this year being the first country of choice this summer, up by 88 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019, the minister said.

Kikilias went on to mention government plans aimed at safeguarding Greece’s traditional elements, including its tavernas. He also spoke of ministry actions to advance sustainable tourism practices across tourism sector activities which will further enhance Greece’s reputation as a leading world destination.

At the end of the day, the aim, said Kikilias is for tourism to lead to the prosperity of the Greek family, to increase incomes and create jobs and set the foundations for a quality product open to more visitors.

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About the Author
Chicago-born and raised, Maria Paravantes has over two decades of journalistic experience covering tourism and travel, gastronomy, arts, music and culture, economy and finance, politics, health and social issues for international press and media. She has worked for Reuters, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Billboard Magazine, Time Out Athens, the Athens News, Odyssey Magazine and SETimes.com, among others. She has also served as Special Advisor to Greece’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the mayor of Athens on international press and media issues. Maria is currently a reporter, content and features writer for GTP Headlines.
  1. Amy Reply

    Where was that first photo taken?

    • Helen Reply

      Patmos

      • Amy Reply

        Wow. I’ve been there and I can’t remember that view! I don’t remember any windmills. Where on the island are they? Thanks

  2. Lee Durrell Reply

    There is nowhere more beautiful than Corfu in the springtime, with the panoply of wildflowers gracing the many scenic walks. Wildlife is waking up after the long winter, from butterflies to tortoises, cheered on by the songs of birds. ‘Biodiversity Tourism’ is a niche waiting to be filled, and Corfu is a perfect place to start.

    • Amy Reply

      Are you a fortunate member of THE Durrell family? And back on Corfu!

  3. Stewart Brown Reply

    Greek Easter should be a major attraction and I’ve never understood why Greece doesn’t tout it more and why there aren’t more direct flights from UK to cover it.

  4. Estefano Onatrac Reply

    Indeed I was always surprised during winter about fewer visitors in Athens compare to Amsterdam and Berlin for example. However, the weather is mostly better in Athens. If I ask my Dutch family and friends why they don’t take Athens into consideration to visit duruíng wintertime; oh something for summer (…) The only thing could be the travel time. But for a midweek Athens it doesn’t matter in my opinion, in contrast to northern Greece. Austria is a strong competitor and it will be all about the target group you wanted to reach to let them decide on Greece as a winter destination. That’s why I will have a shooting project in the north coming winter… it’s all about imaging.

  5. Carl+Simpson Reply

    Better late than never people been asking to extend the season for over twenty years takes a pandemic to finally make it happen.

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