UNWTO forecasts a better year for Greece's tourism industry

According to the opinion of Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, Greece will experience constant growth of its tourism sector in 2016

And the official figures back up his statement: last year, 23.6 million international tourists visited Greece, 7 per cent more when compared to 2014. The country's tourism sector registered a 6 per cent increase in revenues, which translated into a 14.2 billion euros influx.

Speaking at ITB Berlin, in the presence of Greece's Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura, Taleb Rifai declared on the country's situation: "we have no doubt that Greece will maintain a powerful image worldwide as a major tourism destination and that the country will consolidate its growth in 2016, as shown by booking trends".

Ms. Elena Kountoura replied: "the Aegean islands are already showing a positive trend in bookings and are ready to welcome an increased number of tourists for the current season. […] Meeting with leading tour operators at ITB, we have received very positive feedback from the German travel market, which has confirmed the increased demand in bookings for Greece.”

The country's new tourism policy was launched in 2015 and its main goal is to revive and enhance international tourism within its borders, after a difficult period of decrease in terms of tourism industry. To achieve this goal, officials in Greece aim to develop new destinations and attractions, and to diversify the country's hospitality services.