Double-digit growth in advance bookings and additional flights from Austria to new destinations in Greece.
Greece consolidated itself as the top tourist destination for Austrians in 2024 with a double-digit increase in bookings and additional air routes to new destinations for the summer season.
This was confirmed at the international tourism exhibition Ferien 2024, which took place in Vienna from March 14 to 17. The Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) participated with a stand.
According to the TUI survey and the results of the bookings made at the Exhibition, Greece remains by far the most popular destination for Austrians. The main destinations are Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Corfu and Halkidiki.
TUI bookings show double-digit growth for most destinations. Bookings recorded a double-digit increase for some destinations, already covering 70% of availabilities for 2024.
This was highlighted during the one-on-one meetings held by the Austrian EOT Service with the directors of TUI, Dertour Springer Reisen and Ideal Tours.
Particularly encouraging are air ticket bookings on Austria’s largest air carrier (Austrian Airlines), which starts from March 26 direct connections 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.
Air routes to Athens show an increase of 20%, while Mykonos will have four flights per week.
The impact of new destinations such as Skyros, Lemnos, and Thessaly, along with the weekly Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Volos, is positive. The opening of new flights to Lesvos and Chios is also important.
The “Sun-Sea” model is mainly for families—the main holiday motivation.
It should be noted that the international tourist exhibition of Vienna – Ferien 2024 is the largest exhibition in Central Europe and is a platform for meetings for industry professionals from all neighbouring countries.
This year, 450 exhibitors from 36 countries participated, and the number of visitors reached 72,710.
According to the exhibition organisers and a survey carried out on behalf of TUI by the company YouGov, 77% of respondents plan to take a holiday abroad, with 33% having already made a reservation.
The “Sun-Sea” model is -mainly for families- the main motivation for holidays, followed by urban tourism.
Environmental protection and sustainable tourism development were dominant themes during the exhibition and are expected to play a key role in the future.
Public awareness will influence the strategy of many travel organisers and, subsequently, many businesses in the sector, aiming to rationalise natural resources (water, power generation, waste management, etc.).
READ MORE: Hitting the Beach Greek Style in 2024: Sun, Sand, and New Rules!
