After two years of covid-19 restrictions, many travelers have already booked their “Greek summer dream holiday”. The year 2022 is expected to be most favorable for Greek tourism.
Greece is an ideal travel destination offering more than 16,000 kilometers of coastline and even more than 3,000 islands and islets. Greece is one of the top global travel destinations, not only for sun and beach holidays but also for year-round holidays. What distinguishes Greece is the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, landscape diversity, and Greek hospitality. Luxury resorts and rentals are already experiencing the influx from the early start of the season and the strong inclination of tourists to travel this year.
Greece seems to be reaching close to pre-pandemic numbers and is one of the most favored destinations worldwide. Fortunately, the war in Ukraine has not affected tourism figures, although inflation is a factor of uncertainty, which can act as a deterrent compared to other countries.
But Greece has a well-thought strategy and is prepared to welcome millions of visitors to increase the numbers, the money they spend, and the number of days they stay.
8 key factors that increase travelers to Greece
The start of the tourism season was earlier than usually increasing the number of tourists.
Direct air links from major European and American airports to numerous destinations and the increase of the cruises in Piraeus have brought tourists and increased tourist flows, creating income for the economy.
More direct flights from the US to Athens until mid-autumn will serve more than 15,000 visitors a month. Direct flights from Canada to Greece will double during the peak months June-August. Moreover, after 25 years, Delta launched direct flights three times a week from Boston to Athens, emphasizing Greece’s priority as an international destination. This spring, after 20 years, the German Condor launched flights from Dusseldorf and Leipzig, reflecting the company’s confidence in the Greek capital as a destination. According to TUI France, Greece ranks first in pre-bookings for 2022 from all destinations. Statistics show that bookings this year have increased to three-digit rates compared to last summer.
Moreover, Israel reached a pact agreement for more visitors to Greece during the summer months and the Jewish New Year days.
Australia launches flights to Greece after two years of Covid-19 restrictions with a large Diaspora Greek community aspiring to visit their homeland.
For the first time since 2010, Greece has reached out to Spanish-speaking and Latin American countries by reopening the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) branch in Madrid, promoting Greece to the Latin American market.
Several ports near world-renowned attractions and the upgrading of cruise port facilities allow more cruise companies to anchor in Greek ports for their Mediterranean cruises. Private and state-owned marinas can welcome more and larger yachts. The closeness between destinations, and the country’s strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, rendering it one of the most frequent regions.
Most favorable destinations in Greece
The most popular destinations with high occupancy rates are Cyclades islands, Crete, and the Ionian and Dodecanese islands. Luxury resorts are already experiencing the influx from the early start of the season and the strong inclination of tourists to travel this year.
The main destinations in Greece besides Athens are the islands Crete, Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, and the Ionian Islands Corfu, Lefkada, and Kefalonia, to mention a few.
The Epirus and Peloponnese regions are gaining popularity this year. The increased promotion of lesser-known destinations attracted more visitors to alternative destinations to explore the inland and many famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Hotel infrastructure, facilities, and tourist services have improved their attractiveness and competitiveness as international destinations. Resort and Hotel performances play a beneficial role in bookings in Mykonos, Crete, Aegean, and the Ionian Islands and offer the most competitive services, attracting high-income tourists.
The new reality of Greek tourism
Tourism suffered greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic, which urged the innovation of tourism products and the promotion of developing destinations.
Products and services have greatly improved to offer a range of unique experiences for which visitors are willing to spend more money. The tourism industry focused on the extension of the tourist period, the attraction of higher-value tourist sectors, the increase in average daily spending, and the creation of new tourist markets.
The need for viable development in all sectors of the tourism ecosystem, economy, society, and culture is mandatory to provide tourism businesses with better solutions and growth prospects in a highly competitive and constantly changing environment. Some tourism-related sectors have already experienced pre-Covid returns.
Why is Greece a top travel destination?
Greece has several internationally recognized destinations. Greece offers a variety of beautiful destinations for year-round holidays, from a plethora of sunny beaches to mountainous countryside and forests with endless possibilities for sports, outdoor activities, entertainment, and gastronomical experiences.
There are sites, museums, and locations where visitors can experience historical and cultural heritage. The year 2022 is anticipated to be favorable for Greek tourism. Tourism flourishes with no cancellations. Even more positive tourism is expected during the summer months. Tourism is and will remain a powerful economic force in Greece.