High number of Easter arrivals - but not as high as 2019 record
Easter
26 Apr 2022
/ 10:18
CORFU. The first unofficial figures for Corfu Easter arrivals.
The first unofficial figures indicate that the number of Easter arrivals this year is lower than that of 2019 but, nevertheless, extremely good.
The Port Authority estimates that the number of arrivals was slightly below that of 2019 - a record year. Comparisons are not being made with 2020 and 2021, of course, due to the pandemic.
Arrivals by ferry
A shipping company source confirms that there were fewer arrivals than in 2019: "On the whole, it was a very good Easter - due to the circumstances, we didn't expect to have such good numbers. It was much better than 2018, but not at the level we had in 2019."
Initial unofficial data for the weekend indicates that Lefkimmi didn't have the figures that were expected but Corfu Port saw a high number of arrivals Between Wednesday afternoon and Good Friday afternoon. There were also a lot more buses this year.
The first unofficial figures show that on Holy Thursday there were 11,500 passengers, 3,000 cars and 50 buses. On Good Friday there were 12,430 passengers, 2,484 cars and 117 buses.
The positives
The main difference from the pre-pandemic years was how the traffic was managed by Igoumenitsa Port and harbourmaster Korizis. A representative told Enimerosi: "For the first time ever, there were no queues of vehicles.
"People didn't have to wait for 6-7 hours as they had done in previous years with all the negative press," he added. "The quays were opened up so that traffic could proceed smoothly and it is is worth pointing out that this model of operation should be followed in the future."
He also added that this was the only place in Greece where prices weren't increased - in fact, there were discounts of around 25% for online bookings, which were made by a high percentage of passengers. Due to the already high fuel prices, it was not considered proper for ferry prices to also increase.
Flights
There was no significant increase at Corfu Airport. According to the President of Corfu Civil Aviation Employees Union Dimitris Roussos, there were the normal two daily Aegean flights and three Sky Express flights, with the only exception being one Aegean flight on Thursday. The law of supply and demand operated and ticket prices to Corfu rocketed. The fixed prices of the state Olympic airline and the extra Airbus at Easter are a thing of the past.
The number of international arrivals was as expected with the gradual increase in scheduled flights as expected at this time. The total number of flights in April is expected to be around 450-460 and in May there are 1,097 international flights scheduled - approaching 2019 figures.
Satisfaction with the numbers
Bearing in mind the spike in fuel prices, which affects the whole supply chain, the fact that there were 35k-40k visitors in Corfu Town - according to the initial estimate given to Enimerosi by Deputy Mayor for Tourism Panayiotis Varouchas - can be considered a satisfactory achievement.
He pointed out that the area set aside for parking at Corfu Port was used by 3,500 cars from Good Friday afternoon. "I believe the collaboration between Corfu Port Authority and the Traffic Police was very effective and we avoided the chaotic scenes of previous years," he said.
"The hotels in town had 95% occupancy and the suburban hotels had 80-85% occupancy - without all of them being open. It should also be pointed out that, compared to previous years, thousands of beds have been added at rented accommodation, such as Airbnb and they had 95-97% occupancy," Mr. Varouchas said.
The Port Authority estimates that the number of arrivals was slightly below that of 2019 - a record year. Comparisons are not being made with 2020 and 2021, of course, due to the pandemic.
Arrivals by ferry
A shipping company source confirms that there were fewer arrivals than in 2019: "On the whole, it was a very good Easter - due to the circumstances, we didn't expect to have such good numbers. It was much better than 2018, but not at the level we had in 2019."
Initial unofficial data for the weekend indicates that Lefkimmi didn't have the figures that were expected but Corfu Port saw a high number of arrivals Between Wednesday afternoon and Good Friday afternoon. There were also a lot more buses this year.
The first unofficial figures show that on Holy Thursday there were 11,500 passengers, 3,000 cars and 50 buses. On Good Friday there were 12,430 passengers, 2,484 cars and 117 buses.
The positives
The main difference from the pre-pandemic years was how the traffic was managed by Igoumenitsa Port and harbourmaster Korizis. A representative told Enimerosi: "For the first time ever, there were no queues of vehicles.
"People didn't have to wait for 6-7 hours as they had done in previous years with all the negative press," he added. "The quays were opened up so that traffic could proceed smoothly and it is is worth pointing out that this model of operation should be followed in the future."
He also added that this was the only place in Greece where prices weren't increased - in fact, there were discounts of around 25% for online bookings, which were made by a high percentage of passengers. Due to the already high fuel prices, it was not considered proper for ferry prices to also increase.
Flights
There was no significant increase at Corfu Airport. According to the President of Corfu Civil Aviation Employees Union Dimitris Roussos, there were the normal two daily Aegean flights and three Sky Express flights, with the only exception being one Aegean flight on Thursday. The law of supply and demand operated and ticket prices to Corfu rocketed. The fixed prices of the state Olympic airline and the extra Airbus at Easter are a thing of the past.
The number of international arrivals was as expected with the gradual increase in scheduled flights as expected at this time. The total number of flights in April is expected to be around 450-460 and in May there are 1,097 international flights scheduled - approaching 2019 figures.
Satisfaction with the numbers
Bearing in mind the spike in fuel prices, which affects the whole supply chain, the fact that there were 35k-40k visitors in Corfu Town - according to the initial estimate given to Enimerosi by Deputy Mayor for Tourism Panayiotis Varouchas - can be considered a satisfactory achievement.
He pointed out that the area set aside for parking at Corfu Port was used by 3,500 cars from Good Friday afternoon. "I believe the collaboration between Corfu Port Authority and the Traffic Police was very effective and we avoided the chaotic scenes of previous years," he said.
"The hotels in town had 95% occupancy and the suburban hotels had 80-85% occupancy - without all of them being open. It should also be pointed out that, compared to previous years, thousands of beds have been added at rented accommodation, such as Airbnb and they had 95-97% occupancy," Mr. Varouchas said.
