Greek Tourism Minister | Sector to reach revenues of €22 billion in 2024

Record tourism revenues that will reach 22 billion. euros, compared to 20 billion in 2023, are foreseen in 2024. This was emphasized by the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, today, December 13, 2024, in her speech to Parliament on the 2025 Budget.

In addition to this excellent performance, the year will close with the confirmation that the effort to expand the tourist season is progressing with very positive results, added Mrs. Kefalogianni.

In her speech, the Minister of Tourism presented the strategy and the main axes of the Ministry's policy, which, as she said, aim at the sustainable and qualitative development of Greek tourism, based on balance, moderation and social justice.

"Greece today is a country with a strong democracy and a stable government", the Minister emphasized at the beginning of her speech, underlining that the prudent fiscal policy of the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has put the country back on track with primary surpluses, contributed to the drastic reduction of unemployment and the rapid reduction of public debt. The 2025 Budget predicts that Greece will record the fourth highest primary surplus in the European Union," he said. In this environment, Ms. Kefalogianni pointed out, the tourism sector maintains a steady upward trend.

Mrs. Kefalogianni described tourism as a "catalyst for raising the standard of living of the entire Greek society" and described a comprehensive plan of actions and initiatives that continue in 2025 and focus on strengthening the competitiveness of Greek tourism.

"The creation of jobs, the upgrading of tourist destinations and the protection of the natural and cultural capital of the country are priorities. We want a Greece that pioneers and progresses, despite the international challenges", emphasized Olga Kefalogianni.that

In particular, the Minister of Tourism referred to tourism as a highly competitive product, through legislative interventions and innovative initiatives highlighting, among other things:

The upgrading of Infrastructure and the creation of new projects for special forms of tourism, such as mountain, sea, health and wellness
Digital Transformation with a series of innovative platforms for the promotion of new tourism offers using Artificial Intelligence, with the aim of improving the travel experience
The establishment of a globally innovative hotel classification system based on their environmental performance, as well as the new regulations for short-term leases, that safeguard the quality of hospitality and tourism in our country.
The upgrading and strengthening of tourism education, with the possibility for graduates to continue their studies in higher education institutions, ensuring specialized human resources in the tourism sector.

"And because we are particularly interested in internal tourism, in Greeks taking holidays in Greece, we are continuing the "Tourism for All" program for the next period, with increased amounts, underlined Mrs. Kefalogianni, making special mention of the remarkable increase in investments, not only from stable Greek investors but also from international hotel groups, even in less developed tourist areas.

"We are upgrading the tourism brand of the country, presenting the diversity of the natural environment and our cultural capital. All together, the state, employees, and the private sector cooperated in difficult times and succeeded. We will do the same now", concluded the Minister, calling on the MPs to vote in favor of the 2025 Budget.

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