Big increase in German arrivals in July. Gradual increase in accommodation bookings
tourism
02 Aug 2021
/ 15:05
CORFU. Tourism professionals are talking about a gradual increase in Corfu tourism over the last two weeks and data from Corfu International Airport shows that there were 1,623 international flight arrivals in July compared to 699 in June.
The President of Corfu Civil Aviation Employees Union Dimitris Roussos told Enimerosi that the greatest number of passengers was from Germany with 320 flights, followed by UK with 255, France with 162, Italy with 156 and Poland with 146.
He went on to say that “Germany, with 320 flights and 48,000 passengers has surpassed the number of passengers in July 2019 - 45,000 - by 3,000. However, this year we have an extra weekend in July compared to 2019”.
Although Germany had included Greece, as well as the Netherlands, in the “risk areas” about two weeks ago by issuing the recommendation to avoid unnecessary tourist travel, this did not seem to be a deterrent for its citizens, as shown by the above data. Mr. Roussos observed that since July 18, the number of flights from the British market has been in double digits, whereas at the beginning of the month it was a single-digit number. In particular, since July 18, about 10-20 flights a day have been arriving from Britain. “The number of passengers arriving at the airport is satisfactory and August is expected to have the same numbers as July,” he said.
Hotel bookings at 55%-60%
The number of arrivals at the airport is also reflected in the occupancy rates of hotels and rental rooms, bringing a smile to the face of the owners once again and putting money into their empty pockets. August is usually the month when the tourist season is at its peak, but given the difficult conditions that no one could have predicted for this year, especially with the prolonged absence of the British market, the sector’s professionals are satisfied.
Corfu Hoteliers' Association President Spyros Rokkas told Enimerosi that “In the last two weeks there has been a gradual increase in bookings with an average of 55%-60%”. He said that, although an increase in arrivals from the UK was expected after July 19, when Johnson gave the “green light” for travelling to Greece, this was actually not the case and the UK market is only at 15%! “Since the British were facing prolonged lockdowns, the countries that made the safe destination list were constantly changing. How could people go through the process of booking their holidays, while having to quarantine and pay for PCR tests when returning?”, he added, pointing out that the German market in the absence of the UK one is doing well in bookings and is leading the way at the moment in Corfu tourism.
Increase in rentals
Corfu Tourist Accommodation Owners President Periklis Katsaros said that there is a big demand for rentals and villas. “We have not surpassed the desired rates, but there is an increasing trend in rentals and villas. We all hope that if this increase continues until November, we will be able to cover the loss from the previous period,” he observed.
He added that occupancy is at 45%-50% and certainly much better than in June. Although visitors from the Balkan countries came to the island early on, Mr. Katsaros said that they cannot fully meet our needs.
He went on to say that “Germany, with 320 flights and 48,000 passengers has surpassed the number of passengers in July 2019 - 45,000 - by 3,000. However, this year we have an extra weekend in July compared to 2019”.
Although Germany had included Greece, as well as the Netherlands, in the “risk areas” about two weeks ago by issuing the recommendation to avoid unnecessary tourist travel, this did not seem to be a deterrent for its citizens, as shown by the above data. Mr. Roussos observed that since July 18, the number of flights from the British market has been in double digits, whereas at the beginning of the month it was a single-digit number. In particular, since July 18, about 10-20 flights a day have been arriving from Britain. “The number of passengers arriving at the airport is satisfactory and August is expected to have the same numbers as July,” he said.
Hotel bookings at 55%-60%
The number of arrivals at the airport is also reflected in the occupancy rates of hotels and rental rooms, bringing a smile to the face of the owners once again and putting money into their empty pockets. August is usually the month when the tourist season is at its peak, but given the difficult conditions that no one could have predicted for this year, especially with the prolonged absence of the British market, the sector’s professionals are satisfied.
Corfu Hoteliers' Association President Spyros Rokkas told Enimerosi that “In the last two weeks there has been a gradual increase in bookings with an average of 55%-60%”. He said that, although an increase in arrivals from the UK was expected after July 19, when Johnson gave the “green light” for travelling to Greece, this was actually not the case and the UK market is only at 15%! “Since the British were facing prolonged lockdowns, the countries that made the safe destination list were constantly changing. How could people go through the process of booking their holidays, while having to quarantine and pay for PCR tests when returning?”, he added, pointing out that the German market in the absence of the UK one is doing well in bookings and is leading the way at the moment in Corfu tourism.
Increase in rentals
Corfu Tourist Accommodation Owners President Periklis Katsaros said that there is a big demand for rentals and villas. “We have not surpassed the desired rates, but there is an increasing trend in rentals and villas. We all hope that if this increase continues until November, we will be able to cover the loss from the previous period,” he observed.
He added that occupancy is at 45%-50% and certainly much better than in June. Although visitors from the Balkan countries came to the island early on, Mr. Katsaros said that they cannot fully meet our needs.
