By Athanasios Adamopoulos

 

Travel operators and tourism representatives are sending positive messages for 2024, following their contacts in the World Travel Market, which opened its gates in London on November 6th.

 

They even estimated that tourism will surpass this year's record performance.

 

The Region of Crete - the flagship of tourism - presents a clear plan for sustainable tourism, having promptly recognized both the demands of foreign visitors, but also the needs of modern reality. Crete has a lead as it has already managed to combine the image of the sun and the sea, with well-being and above all the famous Cretan diet.

 

The same steps are also being followed by the Region of Epirus which will present on Tuesday a new plan for the promotion of thematic tourism. 

 

Skiathos, which was hit by severe weather at the beginning of September, will be ready in terms of infrastructure and will receive guests in its hotels, keeping its prices at the same levels. The hoteliers of Skiathos estimated that 2024 will be a very good year as the British - who traditionally book their summer holidays earlier than other Europeans - are already making reservations.

 

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni : The British taking the lead in Greek tourism

 

 

Most visitors to Greece in 2024 will be British, taking the lead again after several years, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said in an interview with Naftemporiki in the framework of the World Travel Market 2023 held in London.

 

Kefalogianni placed particular emphasis on the holistic plan she presented earlier to journalists, a plan based on sustainability, improved education, upgraded infrastructure and extension of the tourist season.

 

On the issue of sustainability, the minister told Naftemporiki that the effort to achieve the goal of sustainability must be based on the education and participation of local communities, which is easier for the Greek population due to their unique way of life. This education effort should not be the work of the Ministry of Tourism alone, but of the government as a whole, she stressed.

 

“For us the word sustainability is not just a trendy word, it means much more,” the minister said, adding that sustainability is part of the overall culture of Greeks.

Kefalogianni also sent a message to all those interested in the tourism industry, saying that the issue of competitiveness presupposes respect for legitimacy.

 

The messages for 2024

 

Sustainability, thematic tourism and extended tourist period. These are the three key words to continue the success story of Greek tourism in the years to come. This is the message that travel operators and industry representatives are also sending, stressing that tourism performance in 2024 is expected to surpass this year’s record performance.

 

 

The Greek National Tourist Organization (GNTO) will continue its tourism campaign, focusing on the human factor as well as sustainability, the General Secretary of the Organization, Dimitris Fragakis, said on the sidelines of the World Travel Market exhibition in London.

 

Fragakis underlined that GNTO is ready to implement the new program for Greek tourism presented by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, pointing out that it will remain on the same pattern of this year’s campaign, which seeks to highlight the special features of our country and the experiences that make it a unique destination.

 

The secretary general described as successful the attempt to extend the tourist season in some areas of the country, as airlines have accepted the organization’s request to keep cheap fares for a longer period.

 

He added that thematic tourism will progress based on the special characteristics of each region and the quality of the infrastructure, while he characterized the success recorded in the British market over the last two years as the result of our systematic effort.

 

Fragakis underlined that there is optimism for the next year, while he reiterated that Greek tourism has shown resilience, despite the successive crises of the last years.