2014 a record year for tourism, Greek Tourism Enterprises chief says

14:16 27/2/2014 - Πηγή: Matrix24

Inbound tourism to Greece is expected to post a new record this year, the president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) Andreas Andreadis told Bloomberg news agency.

«According to forecasts, 2014 will be another record year,» Andreadis said adding that «almost all traditional and new markets show positive, encouraging

signs.»

The number of tourists who will visit Greece this year will reach 18.5 million compared to 17.9 million in 2013 and revenues will reach 13 billion euros, Andreadis noted.

If Greece beats a target of 24 million visitors by 2021, it would add 9 percentage points to its GDP while 300,000 jobs would be created, Andreadis said .

Long-term tourism targets are based on the assumption that political stability would be maintained in the country, Andreadis said. “Political stability within Greece, and achieving the rest of our national objectives, will hopefully ensure that 2021 targets will be reached and surpassed,” he said. Greece will also need to invest 3.3 billion euros per year, mainly in infrastructure, he said.

Prebookings show that Greece can expect this year more tourists from Germany and France, and a 10 percent increase in visitors from the UK, according to the most recent data of SETE.

source: ΑΜΝΑ