The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) increased its estimate for foreign tourist arrivals to Greece for 2014 after considering the latest airport arrivals data.

SETE estimates that foreign arrivals this year will reach 20.5 million without counting cruise arrivals. This is up from a previous forecast for 19.5 million.

Cruise arrivals increased by 100,000 in the first half of the eyar are expected at around 2.5 million for the whole of 2014 from 2.2 million last year. The new estimate for 2014 tourist arrivals by all means of transport is at 23 million, up 15% from 2013.

As far as foreigners arriving at Greek airports are concerned, their number increased 23.5 percent in October and 15 percent in January-October period.

“The latest figures prove the great potential of Greek tourism. Despite the deterioration of the economic climate in Europe and Russia and the highly volatile environment in the wider region, at the end of 2014,” said SETE President Andreas Andreadis. “Greece is expected to be among the world’s top 15 tourist destinations. We are moving considerably faster than expected towards the achievement of the goals of the strategic plan and the 2021 Tourism Roadmap.”

Mr. Andreadis said that it was important to “move together” at this time, inviting the government, political parties, social partners, tourism enterpreneurs, agents and employers, to work together to protect the sector, boost investment, improve quality, support small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, enhance competitiveness and sustainability of the Greek tourism product and increase employment in the sector.