Vasilis Kikilias

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced on Thursday that a Tourism Ministry bill to be tabled in Parliament soon foresees the opening of a Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) office in Melbourne, a strategic move that will significantly contribute to attracting tourists from Australia.

The 14 regional airports run by Fraport saw record arrivals figures in 2022, with domestic arrivals up 3.4% and international arrivals up 7.2% compared to the pre-pandemic period (2019).

The figures emerged after a meeting Tuesday between Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Fraport Greece CEO Alexander Zinell.

The first direct flight from the US for the 2023 season will be by Delta Airlines and will arrive at Athens International Airport on March 11, Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias told state broadcaster ERT on Saturday.

Kikilias explained that Delta stopped its direct flights to Athens as late as last week, signaling the extension of the tourism season into winter.

We open and start working from the middle of March, earlier than ever, is the slogan of the political leadership of the Ministry of Tourism for the new tourist season, which it estimates will be another strong year.

"With hard work and in a very difficult year with war in the heart of Europe, energy crisis and inflation, Athens made a dynamic comeback in tourism," emphasized the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, stating that the income from tourism will be above the 18.2 billion garnered in 2019.

"It is obvious that Greece has exceeded all expectations in terms of its tourism product for 2022.

"In the midst of the multiple crises we have been facing internationally for the last three years, our country's tourism product has proven to be extremely resilient. Travelers from abroad who visit Greece, continue to give a vote of confidence in our country", noted the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview given to OPEN television channel.

High booking rates and increased sales at airports at levels better than 2019, according to the Ministry of Tourism, indicating a very good season for 2022. However, the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias is planning legislative initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting traditional elements of Greek tourism that are also a magnet for our foreign visitors.

A real story is the story of this year's EOT campaign, which focusing on the beauties of the country, aspires to show that Greece is not by chance the favorite destination of millions of visitors.

And who stars in this, but… Otto! And no, we are not talking about Otto Rehagel, with whose help, in the summer of 2004, Greece enchanted Europe and conquered the Euro 2004.

"In the first quarter of 2022, the receipts in the tourist product increased by 342% compared to the corresponding period last year", noted the Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias in an interview given to ANT1 television station.