The Greek authorities have said that international arrivals at country’s regional airports exceeded the pre-pandemic figures in September of this year. The Ministry of Tourism revealed in its most recent press release that arrivals at regional airports of Greece increased by 7.2 per cent in September compared to the same month in 2019, as informed by a news report in Schengen Visa.

The Minister of Tourism of Greece, Vassilis Kikilias, said that the highest increase of arrivals was registered in Corfu, Chania, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Kos. Corfu registered an increase of 17 per cent, Chania registered an increase of 15 per cent, and the other destinations registered an increase of 14 per cent. Apart from the above-mentioned, Minister Kikilias pointed out that the country aims to also surpass the 2019 revenue.

“We have a very close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance to be able to support and help the Greek economy. We will surpass the 2019 revenue of 18.2 billion. We have to find a way to help the professionals in the field, as the Mitsotakis government did in all crises,” the statement of Kikilias reads. Speaking for a national television, Minister Kikilias said that Greek tourism is boosting the country’s economy as well as it is supporting it in a time of global crisis.

Additionally, the Minister pointed out that the impressive course of this year’s tourist season is a result of strategic agreements made with other countries, such as those with American airlines, which operated 63 direct flights per week from the US. As for the winter season, Kikilias said that he is negotiating with airlines and tour operators for the extension of the season.

“Last year, it was a great success – after two years of the pandemic – that we stayed open and supported the professionals. You can now see what happens with the occupancies for the three days of  October 28. I think that now Greece has entered the Europeans’ monitor – and not only – as a destination for off-season holidays,” the Minister added.

Minister Kikilias said earlier in September that northern pensioners who want to pass this winter more easily and with a significantly lower financial burden can now travel to Greece. The Minister emphasised that since Greece has a much milder climate than other European countries, pensioners will be able to save more money as the cost of living is lower, and they will not need to spend much on energy.