ATHENS – While the Omicron Variant brought worry that Greece’s 2022 tourism, especially the summer, wouldn’t be as good as expected, signs are showing it could be a banner year taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The signs for the new year make us optimistic about the prospects of tourism amidst the unstable climate caused by the Omicron Variant,” Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said, reported Kathimerini.

He said there are New Democracy government moves coming to support the “locomotive of the Greek economy,” which brings in as much as 18-20 percent of the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 176.78 billion euros ($200.3 billion,) which also employs close to one million people.

“We want more and better tourism, throughout the country, and not just in the traditionally popular destinations,” he said as part of a shift toward trying to bring year-round tourism and not just sand, sun, surf and islands.

He said a strategy for tourism is being created with traditional and dynamic segments of the market and society, “from hoteliers and tourism professionals to restaurant owners and the commercial sphere of the country and of course their employees,” the report added.

“All those who upgrade the tourism product and at the same time benefit indirectly or directly from it. They are the people who must be supported so that together we can send a strong message of further development of tourism, which we always want to return to the average Greek family,” Kikilias said.