Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the remarkable achievements of Greece’s tourism sector at the Greece Talks conference hosted by Travel.gr and Proto Thema.
He announced, “2024 marked another record-breaking year for Greek tourism. Official data from the Bank of Greece confirms that we welcomed 5.1 million international visitors, generating approximately €20 billion in revenue. This figure is expected to grow. Additionally, forecasts indicate that inbound tourism will maintain or surpass this growth trajectory through at least 2030.”
Mitsotakis discussed expanding Greece’s tourism season and enhancing peak-season infrastructure in popular destinations. “The last thing we want is for visitors to leave negative reviews due to congestion, whether on Mykonos, Santorini, or elsewhere. Proper planning, like our management of the Acropolis, ensures high-quality experiences. We currently serve 20,000 visitors per day at the Acropolis, showcasing a model for excellence across Greece’s attractions.”
Addressing tourism challenges, the Prime Minister highlighted ongoing government efforts to implement measures for sustainable tourism growth:
- Cruise Tourism Tax: Aiming to alleviate strain on busy ports during peak seasons.
- Short-Term Rental Regulation: Designed to ensure balance and mitigate potential issues in local communities.
Mitsotakis also emphasized the importance of high-quality experiences, sustainability, and respect for local communities, remarking, “Quality, not just quantity, will shape the future of Greek tourism.”
Infrastructure Improvements:
The Prime Minister underlined key infrastructure projects, including the privatization of 14 airports and the need for investments in smaller ports, such as Santorini. He praised Greece’s modern highway network and promised the completion of pending projects soon.
In conversation with Andrew Tuck, Editor-in-Chief of Monocle, Mitsotakis discussed positioning Greece as a premier cosmopolitan destination. He concluded, “Our ambition is for Greece to become the world’s top travel destination.”
