ncome from Greek tourism this year is estimated to have already topped 18 billion euros, as pointed out today by the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the annual council of presidents of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX), which takes place in Thessaloniki. on the occasion of the 37th Philoxenia.
“As is well known, the Bank of Greece releases the official data for the previous year every March, but I think that we are already 3 billion more than the target set by the Ministry of Finance for (revenue) 15 billion euros and we will see where the “counter” stops,” said Mr. Kikilias, who also added that Greece ranks among the top tourism brands worldwide and is “the country that the whole planet loves“.
Difficulties
The Minister of Tourism also pointed out that although difficulties continue in 2023, since – among other things – the war in Ukraine is still raging, the messages from the first international tourism exhibitions, such as WTM in London, are “again strong” in general for the tourist destinations of the country, but also especially for Central Macedonia, Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.
Mr. Kikilias added that in 2022, in a year of multiple crises, the government managed to support through tourism the professionals of the sector, the primary sector, health stores, trade, but also construction, as eight out of ten investments that take place in the country are touristic. He added that in 2023 the government will also be next to the hoteliers and tourism professionals in general, especially those whose businesses are based in the mountainous areas of the country and are most affected by the energy crisis.