2022 will be a positive year
The Greek tourism minister expressed his confidence that 2022 would be a positive year able to alleviate rising energy costs.
Among others, he referred to the 300 percent increase in cruise figures for Northern Greece, which is expecting more than 760 cruises this year, half of which will home port at Thessaloniki, Piraeus, and Heraklion, Crete.
Kikilias said that the Turkish ports of Galata, Kusadasi, and Bodrum, had reopened allowing cruises to operate their routes in the region.
He also referred to major international tour operators and airline companies which have said they will increase capacity by 50 percent for 2022 as well as airport slots.
Kikilias went on to add that based on pre-booking figures so far, Greece will have to be ready to welcome tourists earlier this year, on March 1, because summer this year will start in spring, he said.
The minister confirmed that actions were being taken to establish Greece as a year-round destination.
Key to the extension of the tourism season is strengthening cruise tourism and city break destinations as well as mountain and winter tourism, which he said will be the “next big bet” for 2022.
In this direction, Kikilias said the ministry strategy through to 2030 focused on lesser-known locations as well as on alternative forms.
Tags: COVID-19 pandemic, Greece tourism
