Greece’s Duty Free Shops See Increase in May 2022 Turnover

Greece’s welcoming of passenger traffic from major international markets boosted the turnover of its Duty Free shops last month, according to Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

Speaking to Real FM on Tuesday, the minister said data from Athens International Airport (AIA) and other Greek airports show that the turnover of duty free shops increased last month by 391 percent compared to May 2021 and by 10.2 percent compared to the corresponding month of 2019.

According to Kikilias, the rise in turnover is the result of Greece’s opening to leading international markets such as the United States and the increase of foreign exchange mainly from high-income travelers.

“This proves that our aim and efforts to attract tourists that leave additional foreign exchange-income to Greek businesses is paying off,” he said.

During his interview to Real FM, Kikilias stressed that the ministry is taking very careful steps to protect the tourism product this year due to multilevel crises (pandemic, inflationary pressures, energy crisis and Greek-Turkish relations).

He also referred to Greece’s social tourism program for low-income Greeks which this year will reach 30 million euros from 20 million last year. Known as Tourism for All, the program will launch in early July and provide 250,000 beneficiaries with a ‘free pass’ for ferry tickets, hotels and F&B services.