September Regional Airport Arrivals in Greece Up by 7.2%

Photo source: South Aegean Tourism Initiative

Tourist arrivals into autumn are going strong with Greece’s regional airports marking a 7.2 percent increase in September arrivals compared to the same month in pre-Covid 2019, according to Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

Speaking to SKAI television on Monday, Kikilias said Fraport Greece-operated airports on Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Kos marked a 14 percent rise in arrivals, 14 percent in Chania (Crete) and 17 percent on Corfu.

The minister also confirmed that tourism-related revenue would be exceeding 2019 levels to 18.2 billion euros.

Referring to the unprecedented number of tourism arrivals this year, Kikilias attributed the success to strategic agreements with US airlines which resulted in 63 direct flights to Greece per week as well as extension of some services into fall and winter.

“I think that Greece has now entered Europeans’ radar as an off-season holiday destination,” said the minister.

Lastly, Kikilias referred targeted ministry actions to attract more off-season visitors to the country as well as pensioners who can take advantage of Greece’s mild winters in view of the energy crisis.

Among others, the ministry will be launching a new campaign budgeted at 20 million euros inviting senior travelers to spend their winters in Greece.