Greece is planning to welcome holidaymakers all year-round in a bid to spread out the impact of tourists.
The country's tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni has presented plans to turn into a year-round tourist destination, partly by promoting new destinations.
Ms Kefalogianni told that the main goal of the Greek Ministry of Tourism is to extend the season and the distribution of tourist arrivals in Greece across all months of the year. Tourists are already arriving at different times of the year. In November 2024, arrivals increased by 23.7 per cent, following a 27.5 per cent rise during the same month of 2023. Revenues also soared by 44.7 per cent, making it the best November on record.
While the temperature in Greece certainly dips significantly in the winter, many parts enjoy extensive sunshine and an average daily temperature of around 12°C in December. For those tourists not wedded to sitting by the pool but more interested in exploring cities, the winter weather may be preferable to the scorching heights the mercury reaches in the high summer.READ MORE:
A rise in Greek travel revenues is largely due to the increase in inbound travel (23.6 per cent), as well as the 20.9 per cent rise in average spending per trip, according to the Bank of Greece.
One new attraction for 2025 is an underwater park. The diving park, which is already under construction, will be located on the island ofand will feature artificial reefs, developed in over 60,000 square metres, with 37 artificial habitats and two sunken warships.
Guests will be able to dive between 8.5 metres and 25 metres, and there will be three different routes for both beginners and advanced divers.
The artificial reefs will be embedded underwater to encourage wildlife to the area. Once fitted, the two decommissioned warships will be added to the area.
The park is expected to be completed by summer 2025 and will be the first diving park in Greece. The new attraction will fall under the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports' plans to turn the country into a global freediving destination, under a new body named 'Dive in Greece'.
Earlier this month, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority announced that passenger traffic at 24 Greek airports went up by 9.3 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. Over 2024 the airports of the Hellenic Civic Aviation Authority saw nearly 12 million passengers, compared to just over 11 million passengers in 2023.