Greece in the 2020 tourism season, during the coronavirus pandemic, welcomed more than 750,000 British visitors
According to Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, Greece has high expectations for its tourism season next year and sees the UK playing a leading role. Speaking during a virtual press conference during the WTM Virtual event, Minister Theoharis gave the latest updates on Greek tourism with a recap of 2020 and also referred to new tourism strategies planned for 2021.
The minister provided details on how Greece was able to welcome visitors despite the Covid-19 pandemic by following an organized plan and said :
This year is a special one for everyone and especially for Greece that managed to open its tourist season. Today I feel proud because Greek tourism has succeeded. The reputation and the brand of Greek tourism remain strong. Nothing was easy but we proved that nothing is impossible, and we move on to the day after.
Expressing his hope that next year, with the help of science, the adventure of the coronavirus pandemic will be left behind, the minister focused on the goal which will be to extend the country’s tourism season. More than 750,000 British visitors showed trust in Greece as a safe destination and spent their holiday in the country during the 2020 tourism season, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tourism ministry is currently working with local communities and tourism professionals for Greece to achieve by 2022 an annual season with direct international arrivals. Greece is planning a series of workshops to promote Greece to which UK market professionals will be invited to participate but also Greek destinations such as Western Epirus, the Peloponnese and the North Aegean, relatively unknown to the UK market, by cooperating with tour operators and travel agents.
Moreover, the minister announced that Greece as a destination will be promoted through an annual advertising campaign to enhance brand awareness, sales dynamic for industry professionals, maritime tourism and collaborations with tour operators and airlines. Thematic and alternative forms of tourism are also on the ministry’s agenda.
Minister Theoharis added that 2021 is an important year for because it coincides with the celebration of 200 years since the rebirth of the modern Greek state.
