Rhodes’ tourism department greeted British tourists with free gifts, a water salute and music when they landed on the island at the weekend.
The first chartered flights from London landed at Diagoras Airport around noon on Saturday and were given a warm welcome, with passengers being doused by the local fire brigade.
Members of the Department of Tourism offered sweets and honey, and The community philharmonic played local music as the island continues to expand its post-pandemic tourism industry.
Tourism receipts recovered 97% of pre-pandemic figures last year, largely helped by a significant increase in visitor numbers from the UK, France and Germany.
In recent weeks, some British holidaymakers have been put off by comments from Lanzarote president María Dolores Corujo, who suggested the popular destination was targeting “quality tourism and holidaymakers who spend more when they are here”.
British tourists are greeted with a water salute by a fire engine as they land in Greece
The Municipal Philharmonic opens the local tourist season with Greek music
As Greece tries to attract foreign travelers for the summer season, Rhodes Mayor Antonis Kambourakis stressed: “Rhodes is back on top.
“For the first time the tourist season on Rhodes starts so early with charter flights from Great Britain. Rhodes is the opening of the summer for the whole of Greece.’
The island economy of Rhodes with around 125,000 inhabitants is heavily dependent on tourism.
At the national level, tourism contributed 38.3 billion euros (33.9 billion pounds) to the Greek economy before the pandemic, falling by more than half in 2020 and only recovering to 27 billion euros (23.9 billion pounds) in 2021 .
Earnings still have not exceeded pre-pandemic levels, in part because key markets in Russia and Ukraine have been frozen by the war.
Tourism on Rhodes was about 8% higher in 2022 than in 2019.
On Saturday, the 140 passengers from Great Britain were welcomed on the first charter flight of the year.
Meanwhile, other vacation destinations still reeling from the pandemic have sought to attract new populations in an effort to reduce over-reliance on one particular group.
The president of the island of Lanzarote, traditionally a popular destination for British tourists, has made headlines after expressing concern about over-reliance on foreign tourism.
She previously said the island would “pursue a diversification strategy to reduce dependence on the UK market”.
About 45% of tourists in Lanzarote are British.
Since 2010, the UK market has also grown by 73%, while the second largest demographic – visitors from Germany – has seen flat growth of 50%.
Brits also spend an average of €34.94 a day on the volcanic islands, according to Lanzarote’s Tourist Board, more than most foreign visitors.
Despite this, Ms. Dolores Corujo said: “It is important to work on the diversification of the sector and the growth of markets such as the German market, which is in line with our intentions to focus on higher quality tourism and holidaymakers who spend more locally, and we move away from mass tourism. ‘
British visitors to Rhodes were presented with flags, sweets, honey and gifts from the island
Lanzarote is trying to diversify its tourism economy and reduce its reliance on British visitors
Many British holidaymakers took offense at the comments, prompting the Spanish Tourist Board to reassure visitors that the island ‘does not discriminate based on visitor type’.
UK director Manuel Butler said: “Spain is a socially inclusive destination and we do not discriminate.
“We warmly welcome our British guests.”
Francisco Martinez, vice-president of Lanzarote’s island association of hotels and apartments, said the leaders were starting an unnecessary debate and were “badly advised”.
Source link
James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
