Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias released the latest figures from the Bank of Greece, which show impressive growth in hospitality revenues.
Mr. Kikilias stressed that €3 billion of tourism surpluses are being returned to society and noted:
“October figures are de facto proof that the extension of the tourist season has become a reality.”
The minister said that, despite multiple crises, tourism revenue reached 1.5 billion euros in October, up 3.3% on 2019. These revenues come from important markets where strategic deals have been made this year: +69.2% from the UK, +10.6% from Germany and +6% from France compared to the same period in 2019. Arrivals also reached impressive levels: +12.3% from the US, +28.1% from France and +83.2% from the UK. Vassilis Kikilias says:
“These revenues in October mean multiple revenues not only for the branded islands, but also for the less popular mainland destinations of Athens and Thessaloniki.”
He assured that the 3 billion euros in tourism revenue generated this year from tourism will be shared among vulnerable groups, households and people in need. This will be a significant addition to the “hot money” that has stimulated the primary sector, catering, trade and hundreds of tourism-related professions. When asked about scenarios for cooperation between opposition parties, Mr. Kikilias replied:
“Divorces, marriages and engagements are determined by society and citizens at polling stations, they do not take place in offices and behind closed doors. Every 4 years there is a vote of the citizens and you see that the prime minister is institutional. At the end of 4 years, he leads the country to elections.”
The minister noted that the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has dealt effectively with most of the crises the government has ever faced, quotes CNN Greece: “We proved how much we try and support society. During the pandemic, we gave 44 billion euros, 10 billion for energy, and now you see how much tourism brings in income.”