Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday that his country is expected to break through (for the first time) the 30 million visitors barrier this year, said an e-mailed press release from his office.
Greece had 24.8 Million visitors in 2016 and expects to break through 30 Million in 2017 this year.
Greece will see a 17.3% increase in tourism in 2017.
Tourism, a traditional pillar of Greek economy, which withstood the debt crisis in the past seven years, is performing well and the aim is to extend the tourist season and increase tourism's added value, the Greek prime minister said in a meeting with the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).
Chinese tourists arrivals, among the growing number of foreign visitors to Greece, are on the rise in recent years with prospects to further increase, according to the Greek-Chinese Economic Council.
Chinese tourists in Greece during 2017 will exceed 170,000, increasing by 10-15 percent compared to last year, the Council noted in an e-mailed press release, citing official data from Greek consulates in China and estimates by tourism industry representatives.
Since 2010 the number of visas issued in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou has grown six fold, the Greek-Chinese Economic Council noted.
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