Greek Tourism Confederation

Tourism revenue in 2024 is projected to reach €22 billion, marking a milestone year for the sector, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted Thursday. 

Foreigners gave Greece a higher score than the European average at the peak of the tourism season, mainly thanks to its culture and gastronomy, the experience at sea, as well as its human resources.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) is warning of possible long-term impacts on the competitiveness of the Greek tourism product as a result of the increase in hotel accommodation fees and other charges thanks to a bill by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.

Top thinkers, leaders from the political and business world, and individuals with innovative ideas and influence in the hospitality industry presented their views on how to redefine the future of Greek tourism in a two-day Reimagine Tourism in Greece conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, organized by Kathimerini and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Yiannis Paraschis, president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and CEO of Athens International Airport, has predicted that 2024 will be a "landmark year" for Greece's tourism while cautioning against taking the solid growth of the sector for granted.

Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni discussed the progress of the ministry's initiatives and highlighted measures for the cruise industry and short-term rentals during the meeting of the board of directors of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

A pioneer of Crete's tourism, Yiannis Sbokos, died in a hospital in Iraklio on Monday night, following a long illness. He was 75.

Sbokos founded the Sbokos Hotel Group in 1976 which was renamed Phāea Resorts in 2019. He built some of the most important hotels in Crete that were considered pioneering for their time, and are still seen as among the most emblematic of the island.

Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni held a meeting at the Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday with representatives from the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Despite the mainly fiscal measures the government imposed last fall, the supply of short-term rentals continues to soar. In terms of available beds it is now greater than that of the hotel market, while for the first time this summer it is expected to exceed the limit of 1 million beds.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed on Thursday that "tourism development should be sustainable, resilient, fair and participatory" and that "the dividend of growth should be distributed as fairly as possible throughout the country."