More Flights to Meet Irish Tourist Demand for Greece in 2024
After seeing a 33 percent rise in tourist arrivals from Dublin in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022, new flights to top Greek destinations have been added in 2024 to meet the growing demand, said the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) after participating in the Holiday World Show 2024 held in Dublin this month.
New flights have been added from Ireland to Heraklion, Rhodes and Zakynthos, said the GNTO which this year also hosted the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (ΤΤΟ), the Region of Central Macedonia, the Halkidiki Tourism Organization (HTO), and Rhodes Hotels Association at its stand.
According to GNTO feedback, Irish visitors to the expo expressed interest in visiting Athens, the Cyclades, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Zakynthos and the Sporades. The majority were repeat travelers with many planning their first trip to Greece and looking for inspiration and guidance.
On the sidelines of the show, GNTO director of UK & Ireland branch, Eleni Skarveli held meetings with Irish travel and tourism professionals, including representatives from Aer Lingus, Travelzoo, Click & Go, and the Irish Travel Agents Association as well as with local media.
Among others, the GNTO agreed to organize a fam trip to Heraklion, Crete. in May, marking the launch of Aer Lingus’ new connection from Dublin, and a press trip to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki on behalf of The Sun for local travel advisors.
Aer Lingus will be running new routes to Heraklion as of May to September and will continue to fly directly from Dublin to Athens, Kos, Santorini, and Corfu; while Ryanair has added Zakynthos to its itineraries (flights from April 5 to October 25), and for the first time to Rhodes from Cork airport. It will continue to fly from Dublin to Athens, Chania, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Santorini and Thessaloniki, while flights to Corfu from Shannon Airport are maintained for the third year.
Greece was among the top destinations of choice for Irish travelers in 2023 together with Spain, Portugal, France and Italy (which however marked declines). Insiders are expecting demand by Irish travelers to visit Greece this year to increase.