ATHENS – On a path for a record-breaking run of tourists arrivals and spending, even during the waning COVID-19 pandemic, Greece was rated the sixth most favored place in the world to visit by readers of the Condé Nast traveler magazine.

European countries led the way, with Portugal taking the top spot followed by Japan, Thailand and Singapore, and Greece just ahead of Denmark and the United Kingdom, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported.

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilikis Kikilias said current estimates show Greece will surpass the former record year of 2019 with the return of international air travel and the country essentially ending health measures against COVID.

He said the most popular spots in Greece were nearly full all summer and the run is continuing into the autumn, and the agency is trying to lure people to keep coming into the winter and year-round.

At the recent European Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards 2022 dedicated to the tourism sector, Greece received 17 honors in categories including luxury accommodations, the audience most wanted.

Tourists coming from countries that require long trips have named Greece as one of their leading destinations to visit, among six overseas markets planning to come through the autumn and into the winter.

That was the finding of a survey released by the European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail BV which adds to the great year Greece is having in luring tourists, expected to smash records.

According to the latest survey on the intention to travel to Europe between September and December 2022, travelers from six markets want to visit Greece and have included the country in their Top 10 choices, said GTP Headlines.

Greece is ranked 7th (out of 10) by travelers from Australia, 6th from Brazil, 5th from Canada, 6th from China, 6th from the US and 4th from Russia but those from Japan showed little interest in coming, no explanation why.