Greek Tourism Enterprizes Association (SETE) President Andreas Andreadis said on Monday that 2014 was a golden year for Greek tourism. He said that Greece tried to overcome its worst postwar crisis after five years of deep recession. The economy shrunk by a quarter but the country managed to be included among the top 15 tourism destinations around the world.

“Just twenty days ahead of the general elections, the only thing we hear are cries of agony, fear and anger while heavy clouds gather over 2015,” said the SETE President in his New Year’s manage.

Mr. Andreadis said that SETE was waiting to hear a feasible four-year program for economic growth, better public administration, health and education, a program that will shield Greek tourism. He said that last year’s performance exceeded 20 million arrivals for the first time, reaching 21.5 million entries into the country without counting sea cruise tourism arrivals. The SETE President also refered to the fact that Greece has more than quadrupled its growth rate to 20% from 15% in 2013 for the first time in comparison to Greece’s main competitors (Turkey, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia).

There were also more than 100,000 new job positions created as a result of the exceptional performance that contributed to the decrease of unemployment, while, for the first time in six years the country’s GDP had a positive growth rate.