Record Growth Expected in Irish Tourism to Greece: A Bright New Year
A Promising Outlook for 2024
The new year is off to a stellar start for Irish arrivals to Greece, following a surge of 33% in air traffic from Dublin in 2023 compared to the previous year. With this significant increase in tourism, expectations remain high for 2024, especially with new flight routes being announced to delightful destinations such as Heraklion, Rhodes, and Zakynthos. The recent messages received during the Holiday World Show Dublin 2024 from January 26-28 of this year were overwhelmingly positive, signaling great potential in the market.
EOT’s Strategic Presence at Holiday World Show
The Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) made a remarkable impression at Ireland’s most essential tourism event with a larger booth than last year, featuring a concentrated effort on promoting Greece. Alongside EOT, representation included the Central Macedonia Region, the Halkidiki Tourism Board, the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization, and the Rhodes Hotel Association.
High-Profile Inauguration
The exhibition was officially inaugurated by Ireland’s Minister of Transport, Jack Chambers, at the forefront of the Greek booth, leading to increased visibility for Greece across various media platforms and social networks. Notably, Minister Chambers visited the Greek stand and received an invitation to visit Greece, enhancing diplomatic and tourism ties between the two nations.
Significant Visitors at the Greek Pavilion
Among the attendees were prominent figures such as Magdalene Nikolaou, Greece’s ambassador to Ireland, and Louis Telemahou, the Cypriot ambassador in Ireland. The Greek stand attracted considerable traffic from tourism professionals, media journalists, and influencers, as well as the general Irish public. On the first day, the exhibition was solely accessible to industry professionals for business meetings, but later crowds gathered, showing great interest in various Greek destinations like Athens, the Cyclades, and Crete.
Engaging Travelers: Repeat Customers and New Visitors
The majority of visitors were seasoned travelers looking for their next destination in Greece, alongside many who were planning their inaugural trip to the country, seeking inspiration and direction towards unforgettable experiences.
EOT’s Outreach and Networking Efforts
Eleni Scarveli, Head of the EOT UK & Ireland Department, conducted essential meetings with key players in the Irish tourism sector. Notable discussions occurred with representatives from Aer Lingus, Travelzoo, and Click & Go, as well as with the chairwoman of the Irish Travel Agents Association, all emphasizing a keen interest in strengthening partnerships with EOT. Additionally, potential collaborations emerged with publishers of specialized tourism outlets such as Irish Golfer and luxury tourism operators like Oroko Travel, aiming to diversify tourism offerings in Ireland’s high-spending tourist market.
Networking and Familiarization Trips Announced
During the Holiday World Show, key agreements were made, including arranging a familiarization trip to Heraklion in May 2024 to coincide with Aer Lingus’s new route from Dublin. Additional plans included a press trip for the Irish newspaper The Sun and a fam trip for travel consultants to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki aimed at enriching their offerings for Northern Greece.
Expansion of Flight Routes in 2024
As we move into 2024, travel to Greece from Ireland is set to flourish with the introduction of several new routes:
- Aer Lingus is launching services to Heraklion from May 6 to September 2, continuing direct flights to Athens, Kos, Santorini, and Corfu.
- Ryanair is adding flights to Zakynthos (operating from April 5 to October 25) and, for the first time, routes to Rhodes from Cork Airport. The airline will also maintain flights from Dublin to Athens, Chania, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Santorini, and Thessaloniki, along with its signature flights to Corfu from Shannon airport for a third season.
Strong Growth in Irish Arrivals to Greece
Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Ireland reveals that Greece experienced a whopping 33% increase in arrivals from Dublin for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Notable Trends from February to September
From February to September 2022-2023, average arrivals from Dublin to Greece exceeded the 33% mark, with May recording the most significant increase during the travel season.
Greece’s Competitive Edge and Existing Challenges
While Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy remain essential competitors in the Irish market, they witnessed a downturn in tourism in 2023. Greece stands alone, showcasing a notable 33% rise in incoming tourists, signaling a robust growth trajectory. Experts predict that this upward trend will further strengthen in 2024. Recent surveys by Airbnb also indicate Greece’s growing appeal among Irish travelers.
EOT’s Aim for Continuous Growth
The EOT is keen on boosting the Irish market with additional Greek destinations and tourism products while working towards ensuring direct flight connections between the nations year-round.
EOT’s Activities in 2023
In 2023, the EOT UK & Ireland office organized several initiatives, including:
- A group press trip to Kos featuring journalists from notable national newspapers, reaching an audience of over 611,000 readers.
- A fam trip for eight Irish influencers to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, creating buzz about these destinations online.
- Press missions to Rhodes post-wildfire recovery.
- A press visit to Heraklion to advocate for Aer Lingus’s new flight inclusion.
- A promotional mission focused on showcasing Greece’s wedding tourism.
- Coordination of an event at Corfu airport marking Ryanair’s inaugural flight of the season from Shannon on June 3, 2023.
- A successful joint advertising campaign with the Irish tour operator Click & Go to increase bookings to Greece.
The Significance of the Holiday World Show
The Holiday World Show Dublin is organized in conjunction with the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), establishing it as the prime tourism exhibition for the Irish market. Over its three-day run, the fair attracted more than 32,000 visitors, including industry professionals and media representatives.
Greece Stands Out Among Global Exhibitors
During the event, while numerous destinations showcased their offerings from across the globe, including Spain, Cyprus, Croatia, and even far-reaching locations like Japan and Thailand, it was the Greek stand that captivated attendees. Its central location and aesthetically engaging display marked a notable enhancement of EOT’s longstanding participation in this exhibition.
Conclusion
As the demand for travel to Greece from Ireland continues to soar, fueled by a series of strategic partnerships and new flight routes, the prospects for 2024 are exceptionally bright. The ongoing initiatives by EOT reflect a strong commitment to solidifying Greece’s place as a premier destination for Irish travelers, ensuring that the coming years will be pivotal for the tourism sectors in both nations. The blend of increased market engagement, innovative travel offerings, and a focus on customer experience will undoubtedly drive a significant influx of Irish tourists to Greece, paving the way for a thriving tourism landscape.
