Greece Achieves Third Consecutive Tourism Record

Greece recorded a third consecutive year of tourism growth, with arrivals and revenue reaching record levels, Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni announced during a meeting with the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX) at their renovated offices.

Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the 2026 strategy prioritises qualitative growth, aiming to spread tourism benefits across society and extend activity nationwide throughout the year. She emphasised sustainable 12-month tourism, opening new markets, and developing direct flight connections from Europe, America, and Asia, including the first direct flight from India with IndiGo.

She highlighted Greece’s active role in shaping the first European Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and praised the hotel sector for its resilience, adaptability, and investment in upgrading services and supporting the country’s international image.

Olga Kefalogianni outlined legislative initiatives improving the tourism framework, addressing market challenges, and creating a more investment-friendly environment. She detailed the introduction of operational and safety standards for short-term rental properties and the continued suspension of new registrations in central Athens and Thessaloniki for 2026.

The Minister also presented efforts to promote local tourism through Destination Management and Marketing Organisations (DMMOs), including memoranda of cooperation with 20 municipalities. She underlined the importance of domestic tourism and measures to attract visitors year-round.

Visa facilitation remains a priority, with two new Greek diplomatic offices opening in India and a new Visa Center nearing completion. She stressed diversifying tourism offerings, particularly mountain and winter tourism, now included in official ministry strategy, allowing ski resorts to operate year-round.

Minister Olga Kefalogianni described the “Tourism for All” programme, which in 2025 expanded its lottery to low and high seasons with increased support for the low season. She concluded by urging continued collaboration with POX to strengthen Greece’s tourism quality and create sustainable benefits for all regions.

POX President Giannis Chatzis said discussions focused on competitiveness, public infrastructure, operating costs, staffing, tax stability, and investment access for smaller businesses. He stressed that quality, safety, and sustainability require clear rules, legal certainty, and fast implementation.

The meeting included POX leaders and ministry officials, including Secretary General of Tourism Policy and Development Vasiliki Koutsoukou and Minister’s advisor Konstantinos Zikos.