Americans remain the “golden” market for Athens

• Optimism for a new increase in American tourist arrivals in Athens and Greece was expressed by the heads of Athens International Airport and Aegean Airlines in the context of the press conference for the “This is Athens – Agora” initiative of the Municipality of Athens. Despite the challenges created by the implementation of new tariffs by the US, the picture for 2025 remains positive, while there is no shortage of interventions for the need for preventive planning.

The CEO of Athens International Airport, Yiannis Paraschis, referred to the spectacular recovery of the American market after the pandemic, noting that the market’s momentum seems to be maintained this year as well: “In recent years, a lot of American tourists have been coming and we expect an increase this year as well,” said Mr. Paraschis, stating that “this year is the year in which there are more flight frequencies planned from America than ever before and it is the first time that Athens will be connected to the West Coast, Los Angeles”.

Concerns about tariffs – The need for a plan B

Although the messages are positive, the CEO of AIA did not fail to express his concerns about geopolitical developments and the implementation of tariffs by the US, which increase the cost of tickets and may negatively affect the flow of tourists.

“We hope that the positive course will continue with a sustainable sign. We will contribute to this. But at the same time, we must keep in mind that times are changing, so we must be prepared, and with a plan B ready, in case this very positive course does not continue”, he stated characteristically. He noted that the opening up of Asian markets could be a countervailing factor.

Earlier, however, in a discussion held at the event, the general director of the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association (ETOA), Tim Fairhust, was reassuring. He said that because Americans are early bookers, bookings will not be affected this year and that Greece and Athens are popular destinations for them.

Aegean invests in domestic and inbound tourism

For his part, Aegean President Eftychis Vassilakis referred to the airline’s strategy for temporal and geographical diffusion of the positive effects of tourism.

“In recent years, all of us, and Aegean, have been making an effort to increase flights more in winter than in summer. If we look at the rates of increase in destinations and seats, we will see that they are approximately double (and sometimes triple) in winter than in summer. This is done for two reasons. On the one hand, to support the Greek passenger, whom we give the opportunity to travel more in winter as well, since his financial capacity has gradually improved, and on the other hand, because we have made a significant investment in the Gulf markets, from which we draw direct passengers and indirectly passengers from Asia.

In addition, within Greece, we are connecting more destinations with Athens and with each other (e.g. from Heraklion or Rhodes we have more connections this year with the small islands) in order to make it easier to combine holidays”, said Mr. Vasilakis.

He also noted that this tactic also facilitates travelers from distant countries, from America and Asia, who wish to combine 2 to 3 destinations within the country.

Optimism but also reservations

Despite the positive forecasts, both speakers underlined the need to strengthen the competitiveness of Athens and Greece in general through sustainable investments, improving the visitor experience and effective management of tourist flows.

The general climate, however, is optimistic: given the dynamics of the US market and the continued increase in direct connectivity, American tourists are expected to once again play a leading role in this year’s tourism season.

In the context of This is Athens – Agora

The statements of Messrs. Paraschis and Vassilakis were made in the context of the press conference for the “This is Athens – Agora” initiative, which is implemented by the Municipality of Athens and the City’s Tourism Development and Promotion Organization. The action aspires to make Athens a model of a modern urban destination, strengthening the interconnection between local bodies, investors, and tourism actors.

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