Positive messages emerged from ITB Berlin, one of the world's leading travel fairs, fueling high expectations for Greek tourism in 2024. Several tourism industry leaders shared optimistic outlooks with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
Greece actively participated in the early March event, where tourism businesses and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) secured numerous business contacts. GNTO General Secretary Dimitris Fragkakis hailed this year's participation as a resounding success, highlighting strong demand from European markets and a healthy flow of bookings for popular destinations in the coming months.
"I am confident about 2024," Fragkakis stated. "The hard work of everyone involved in tourism has laid a solid foundation for continued growth in the years ahead." He also expressed optimism about an extended season, with discussions with airlines and tour operators indicating an earlier start and a potential stretch into autumn.
Yiannis Hatzis, president of the Hellenic Hoteliers' Federation, pointed to Greece's steady progress in the international tourism market, with prebookings rising by 10% in some areas. "While higher prebookings can affect peak season revenue, we're thrilled to see such a strong vote of confidence from visitors," Hatzis added.
According to Konstantina Svynou, president of the Tourism Research and Forecasts Institute, Greece continues to enjoy high demand, particularly in the South Aegean. Svynou reported data suggesting a strong year, potentially a record-breaker in terms of arrivals. For example, bookings from the UK and Germany for the island of Kos have seen a double-digit increase, with the first flight arriving on March 24th.
While Crete anticipates a record year for arrivals, concerns linger among local businesses regarding the challenges faced by German tour operator FTI, a major source of tourists for the island. Alexandros Aggelopoulos, CEO of Aldemar Resorts, highlighted the potential impact of tight household finances in Europe, particularly in the German market, which might necessitate new offerings from hoteliers.
