Greece will focus on new markets and affluent travelers according to the new GNTO strategy for 2020. According to the Secretary-General of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Dimitris Fragakis, the tourism ministry will remain on course attracting travelers as before, with special emphasis put on growing these new markets.
Speaking at a launch event of the EBRD’s property and tourism strategy in Greece, Mr. Fragakis talked about GNTO’s main goals for the country’s tourism product over the next five to ten years.
“Greek tourism is doing well, but that does not mean it will always do well. So, we have to be prepared for the best and the worse.”
The official also underlined the need for Greece to maintain its current visitor numbers while increasing Greece’s share of share in the tourism market through what he said would be “a very well-coordinated and well-organized plan.” The GNTO has already begun initiating the changes for the 2020 tourism season in part, because of the Thomas Cook bankruptcy. Mr. Fragadakis told GTP:
“This strategy will be based on promoting the country abroad but in a different way and with different targeting, in terms of the visitor status we want to attract. The campaign we are planning for 2020, which we expect to launch much earlier than any other year, will focus precisely on new markets and affluent travelers, but it will also look to keep our visitor numbers as they are today,” he said.
Fragakis went on to reassure stakeholders that the Thomas Cook incident, while alarming, does not shake the solid groundwork that Greece tourism is built upon.
“Greek tourism can do even better in the future and I think that with the help of all, we will have much better results in the coming years,” he said.
The GNTO secretary-general also addressed Greece’s moves toward sustainable tourism saying the situation is challenging but extremely important. He also stressed how broad and diverse Greece’s stakeholders are, and the need for cooperation.
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