Popular Greek islands such as Mykonos and Santorini will be more crowded than ever this summer, according to the Economist. Greek hoteliers and tour operators say bookings so far suggest last year’s record of 30m tourists will be easily beaten.
After seven years of recession, prices in Corfu and Crete compare favourably with those in Spain; meanwhile rival destination Turkey these days seems a less safe trip. Greece expects big increases in British, German and Russian tourists—but may find it hard to persuade them to spend generously.
On average, visitors stay fewer days and consume less in local hotels and hostelries than a dozen years ago. Nevertheless, the outlook is bright. A 40-year concession to run a dozen island airports was worth €1.2bn ($1.3bn) to Fraport, a German airport operator, and travel experts are predicting 40m arrivals nationwide by 2022.
At least one part of the Greek economy is in rude health.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Source: ANA-MPA
