Greece remains the undisputed “favourite” among Austrian tourists for the summer of 2023. This results both from the increase in bookings (+20% compared to last year) during the four-day period 16-19/03/2023 of the international tourist exhibition in Vienna Ferien 2023 as well as from the estimates of major travel agents and tourist offices. The Greek National Tourism Organisation often abbreviated as GNTO (EOT) participated in the International Tourism Exhibition of Vienna Ferien 2023 with a state-of-the-art (with VR Lounge) and stylish Greek pavilion that attracted thousands of visitors, as emphasized in a related announcement.

Co-exhibitors at the EOT stand were:

•Regions of Central Greece, Western Greece, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Thessaly, Epirus, Crete,

• the islands of Karpathos and Sifnos,

• the Halkidiki Tourism Organization,

• the Aldemar and Creta Marris hotel groups and

• the Panhellenic Camping Association.

Greece is establishing itself at the top of the demand for the coming summer

The continuous upward trend of Greece in the Austrian market was confirmed not only by a large number of visitors to the Greek stand but also by the course of bookings made inside the Exhibition Centre, with the increase compared to the corresponding date last year amounting to +20% but also +10% in relation to 2019. Even more encouraging, and in the same direction, data obtained from the contacts and discussions that the Austrian EOT Service had with the country’s most important travel organisers and airlines are also moving in the same direction.

According to TUI, “Greece remains the undisputed favourite” for the summer of ’23, followed by Spain and Turkey. The primacy of our country is confirmed both by the Dertour – ITS Billa Reisen group, and by Ruefa (Austria’s largest chain of tourist offices).

The destinations

All Greek destinations are on an upward trajectory with Crete and Rhodes leading the way followed by Kos, Corfu, Karpathos (significant increase for ΄23), and Zakynthos.

Epirus is gradually and firmly securing its own audience in the market (a fact that was also felt in the Hungarian market).

In 2023, approximately 6,000 Pensioners will visit Halkidiki between April and early May, participating in the spring excursion of TO Senioren Reisen. (the program will continue in 2024).

The positive impact of new destinations such as Skyros, Lemnos, Sifnos, and Thessaly with a weekly flight from Vienna to Volos (Austrian Airlines) is particularly impressive.

The interests of Austrian tourists

According to a survey carried out on behalf of TUI, 90% of respondents are planning sea holidays while 30% are also interested in visiting cities.

Environmental protection and sustainable tourism development were the dominant themes of the Exhibition and are expected to play a key role in the future as public awareness will influence the strategy of many travel organizers and subsequently many businesses in the sector aiming at the rational management of natural resources (water, power generation, waste management, etc.).

Rhodes is expected to play a leading role worldwide through the cooperation of the TUI group and the South Aegean Region.

Finally, it should be noted that Austria is the only country connected by direct flights to 21 Greek destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki/Halkidiki, Kavala, Volos, Skiathos, Skyros, Preveza, Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Araxos, Kalamata, Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Samos, Limnos, Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion, Chania.