Optimism for the new tourist season
Reservations from international holiday markets in Corfu in the summer are significantly increased, foreshadowing a positive tourist season this year for the island of Faak. At the same time Corfu It is perhaps the most popular destination for the Easter season, as far as the Greek market is concerned, which is also confirmed this year by high demand.
In 2024 Corfu had over 2.6 million resident visitors and over 800,000 daily visitors from the opposite coasts and cruise. Characteristically, international aircraft increased 33% compared to 2019, while 30% more were arrivals of the ferry line. Already the reservations for 2025 have an increase of 27%, predicting an equally successful year.
The optimistic messages for Corfu tourism were conveyed today to a joint press conference given to Athens, the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands, the Corfu Hoteliers Association, the Corfu Chamber of Commerce and the Travel Agencies Association.
As part of the quality upgrading of the tourism product, there has been a wave of investment in recent years, with a core of renovations and rebuilding hotel units, with the island having a powerful potential of over 30 hotels in the 5 -star upper class. Investments are also dynamic in villas, which has raised Corfu to the top of Real Estate for the country.
Along with the tourist infrastructure, sectors that create modern and unique experiences for the visitor are constantly developing. Walking tourism, nature activities and maritime tourism attract international interest, as well as upgrading gastronomic choices, with award-winning restaurants and top quality products, such as new brands in olive oil and wine and the new perception of traditional kum-bucket.
A derivative of this new dynamics is the strong interest of new markets in Corfu island. It is noteworthy that while arrivals from North America are low, the interest of the US Tour Operators is intense and ever -increasing, partly due to Corfu’s popularity as a cruise station. Correspondingly high is the interest from India and especially China, with which Corfu has ties.
The Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Sustainable Tourism Development and Public Relations of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands, Spyros Halikiopoulos, focused on the actions being implemented and will be implemented within the year for the promotion and promotion of Greece. At the same time, he made special mention in the effort made to further develop alternative forms of tourism island, both in Corfu and in the Diapontia islands, aiming to extend the season, referred to the RES EIA.
Mr. Halikiopoulos said, inter alia: “Through the exemplary cooperation of all – local government and tourism, productive and cultural institutions – the incomparable Corfu Easter is produced, which for us as a model for the management of tourism traffic. We focus on promoting Corfu’s comparative advantages, culture, nature, products and gastronomy, Corfu hospitality. We are aiming all this, with a selection of common targets and markets. Already in 2024 we had excellent results in a special public exploratory tourism, while our outdoor sports events are constantly gaining recognition and participation. At the same time, we support extroversion in our cultural events, which in Corfu are of exceptional quality. The common pillar of our strategy is the methodical enrichment of the identity of the destination to expand the tourist season and to alleviate seasonality, which is already happening. What remains is to consolidate, and Corfu to enter the City Break map dynamically, as it deserves. “
For his part, Corfu Hoteliers President Charalambos Voulgaris referred to the upgrading of hotel services offered and the interest in new investments. He particularly stood at the possibilities of staying visitors from all income classes.
Mr Voulgaris said, among other things: “Corfu in recent years has made significant steps in upgrading the hotel services, which is reflected both in the satisfaction of visitors and the growing interest in the destination. What we seek as a union is to maintain the quality and authenticity of our hospitality, to support the local economy and to enhance the competitiveness of the destination. Private infrastructures are improving, services are modernized and Corfu is now able to provide a comprehensive travel experience throughout the year. “
Corfu Chamber of Commerce Costas Mouzakitis analyzed the multiple benefits resulting from the interconnection of tourism with other sectors for the benefit of the local economy and employment. In this context, he emphasized the need to further highlight local products in cooperation with all the island’s bodies.
Mr Mouzakitis emphasized, inter alia: “Tourism is the driving force for the local economy and employment. Based on this reality, we are working to further enhance cooperation between the tourism industry and other sectors, such as the primary sector, manufacturing, services, trade and constructions, with the aim of balanced and sustainable development. A good example is the dynamic growth of local products, such as olive oil and kum-quat. But there is a need to develop other traditional products other than the primary sector, such as in crafts and manufacturing. Our mission is to boost local production, highlight local identity and support small and medium -sized enterprises, which is crucial to the future of Corfu’s economy and the prosperity of its citizens. “
Corfu Travel Agents Association President Dimitris Diakatis has developed this year’s trends from the key and emerging international markets on the island. In addition, it stood in the Greek market that traditionally because of Easter it dynamically opens the season for Corfu.
Mr Diavati said, inter alia: “As for Corfu’s main markets, the main countries of visitors remain the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland and France, which account for a total of about 77% of its international air arrivals. Internal tourism is also important for Corfu, which is at the forefront of Corfu Easter, the island attracts the Greeks all year long. There has been a strong interest in new markets for us, and even high dynamics, such as the US, China and India, as well as the Middle East. The Tour Operators of these countries place great importance to infrastructure, such as the airport and high -level hotel infrastructure, places where we have very good performance. The cruise has given a great boost to these markets, as a very large proportion of the hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors we receive every year comes from these markets. “
