ATHENS – The catalyst for the acceleration of the Greek economy is tourism, Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) on Tuesday and noted that, according to the official data published by the independent statistical agency ELSTAT, the country’s GDP for the third quarter of 2021 presented an increase of 13.4 pct compared to the corresponding quarter of 2020.

Referring to the course of revenues, Kikilias stated that the season has not ended yet and that revenues from tourism have exceeded 10 billion euros, i.e. five billion more than the initial forecasts.

According to the minister, Greece broadcast a message of safety and trust through the observance of health protocols, the government’s support for the tourism industry and through the excellent cooperation of all tourism agencies, which delivered and continues to deliver results.

“The agreements we are already concluding, but also the development of new forms of tourism in our country that strengthen our tourism product, make us optimistic for 2022. With hard work and a national strategy for tourism, despite the adversity, we will create even greater added value, with more income, new jobs and prosperity for the average Greek family,” Kikilias added.