Early Charter Flights Kick Off Tourism Season in Crete

• Charter flights begin in late March, bringing visitors to Greece’s top destinations.
• Crete sees its first arrivals on March 27, with increased hotel openings expected.
• Easter timings boost early demand, aligning Orthodox and Catholic celebrations.
• Greece aims for 40 million tourists in 2025 after record-breaking 2024 numbers.
• Low-cost airlines kick off the season with flights from seven countries.

In Crete, the tourist season officially begins on March 27, as charter flights bring in the first wave of tourists eager to exchange dull, gray skies for sunny, postcard-perfect landscapes. This year, the island expects even more hotels to start operations earlier, thanks to an unusual calendar quirk—Orthodox and Catholic Easter align on April 20. The synchronized holiday dates spark a surge in demand, luring visitors from around the globe.

Not one to miss out on the momentum, the ever-reliable low-cost airlines join the fray. Flights from a roster of seven countries—including the UK, Germany, Italy, and Poland—are scheduled to arrive on Day One. Think of it as a global relay race, with planes serving as high-speed batons.

Aiming for 40 Million: Greece Eyes New Heights in 2025

After a blockbuster 2024, Greece is setting its sights on another ambitious goal: 40 million tourists in 2025. For a country that hosted 35.95 million visitors last year—up nearly 10% from 2023—it’s not exactly a pipe dream. A quick glance at the stats: international arrivals soared, and travel revenue climbed by 5.4%, reaching €21.7 billion, excluding cruise ship data.

However, local tourism experts aren’t donning their rose-colored glasses yet. While optimism is high, some voices, like Corfu’s hotel association president, cautiously point to unresolved infrastructure problems. Roads, in particular, aren’t keeping pace with the influx of visitors. It’s one thing to lure tourists; it’s another to ensure they’re not stuck in traffic halfway to the beach.

Crete echoes a similar balancing act. The president of its hotel association noted that while arrivals are up, the growing number of hotels on the island might stretch customer demand thinner than expected. Call it a classic case of supply meeting—then potentially outpacing—demand.

What Keeps Visitors Coming Despite Challenges?

So, what draws tourists back year after year, even amidst financial wobbles in Western Europe and geopolitical ripples elsewhere? For one, Germany’s travel bug appears more like a full-blown pandemic; the recent Berlin tourism expo revealed Germans won’t let anything come between them and their beach umbrellas. Regardless of broader challenges, Greece’s dependable sunshine, storied history, and enviable coastline remain irresistible.