Greece is seemingly the undisputed favourite among Austrian tourists for the summer of 2023. This results both from the increase in bookings (+20% compared to last year) during the four-day period 16-19/03/2023 of the international tourist exhibition in Vienna Ferien 2023, as well as from the estimates of major travel agents and tourist offices.
EOT participated in the International Tourism Exhibition of Vienna Ferien 2023 with a state-of-the-art (with VR Lounge) and stylish Greek pavilion that attracted thousands of visitors, as emphasized in a related announcement.
Co-exhibitors at the EOT stand were:
• Regions of Central Greece, Western Greece, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, Thessaly, Epirus, Crete,
• the islands of Karpathos and Sifnos,
• the Halkidiki Tourism Organisation,
• the Aldemar and Creta Marris hotel groups and
• the Panhellenic Camping Association.
Greece is establishing itself at the top of the demand for the coming summer
The continuous upward trend of Greece in the Austrian market was confirmed not only by the large number of visitors to the Greek stand but also by the course of bookings made inside the Exhibition Centre, with the increase compared to the corresponding date last year amounting to +20% but also +10% in relation to 2019.
Encouragingly, and in the same direction, data obtained from the contacts and discussions that the Austrian EOT Service had with the country's most important travel organisers and airlines are also moving in the same direction.
According to TUI, Greece remains the undisputed favourite" for the summer of '23, followed by Spain and Turkey. T
The destinations
All Greek destinations are on an upward trajectory with Crete and Rhodes leading the way followed by Kos, Corfu, Karpathos (significant increase for ΄23) and Zakynthos.
Epirus is gradually and firmly securing its own audience in the market (a fact that was also felt in the Hungarian market).
In 2023, approximately 6,000 Pensioners will visit Halkidiki between April and early May, participating in the spring excursion of TO Senioren Reisen. (the program will continue in 2024).
The positive impact of new destinations such as Skyros, Lemnos, Sifnos and Thessaly with a weekly flight from Vienna to Volos (Austrian Airlines) is particularly impressive.
The interests of Austrian tourists
According to a survey carried out on behalf of TUI, 90% of respondents are planning sea holidays while 30% are also interested in visiting cities.
Environmental protection and sustainable tourism development were the dominant themes of the Exhibition and are expected to play a key role in the future as public awareness will influence the strategy of many travel organisers and subsequently many businesses in the sector which are aiming at the rational management of natural resources (water, power generation, waste management, etc.).
Rhodes is expected to play a leading role worldwide through the cooperation of the TUI group and the South Aegean Region.
Finally, it should be noted that Austria is the only country connected by direct flights to 21 Greek destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki/Halkidiki, Kavala, Volos, Skiathos, Skyros, Preveza, Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Araxos, Kalamata, Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Samos, Limnos, Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion and Chania.
Vienna Airport is a hub for flights from Northern and Eastern Europe.
The Ferien 2023 Exhibition
This is the largest exhibition in Central Europe as it is a meeting ground for industry professionals from all neighbouring countries.
With the participation of 840 exhibitors from 80 countries and the slogan "around the world in four days", Ferien 2023 in the Austrian capital attracted - after an absence of two years - 68,923 visitors.
The Exhibition and the Greek stand were honoured with their presence by the Austrian Deputy Minister for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler and the Counselor for Commercial and Economic Affairs of the Greek Embassy Ms. Boyatzopoulou.
