Global Blue Hellas: Greece 2nd most popular destination for British travelers

Well-to-do Brits will be the first to travel this summer. Forward Keys reports that 50% of air ticket bookings from the UK are in relation to 2019.

The results of a global survey conducted in April were presented yesterday by Global Blue Hellas in a digital event, on the impact that BREXIT has on the legislation and the right of the British to make Tax Free purchases in European Union countries from January 1, 2021.

In addition, the results of the British tendency to travel in the near future were presented, as well as their intention to make tax-free purchases.

The digital event was also attended by the Scientific Director of the SETE Institute, Mr. Aris Ikkos, who presented the expectations of recovery of the British and world market after the pandemic, and the factors that affect it (vaccinations, available airline seats, flexible policy .etc.). He also highlighted the importance of improving the shopping experience in Greece to strengthen against the competition.

Greece is the 2nd most popular destination for travelers from the United Kingdom
Regarding the preferences of the British for this summer, Greece occupies the 2nd place, after Spain, with a market share of 11% and an increase of this preference by 7 percentage points compared to 2019.

With a total of over 70 million. Travel to Europe in 2019, the main countries visited by the British are Spain, France, Italy, and Ireland, with Greece receiving almost 4 [1] million each year.

Well-to-do British travelers will be the first to travel
Uncertainty about the opening of borders still makes it difficult to plan summer vacations for travelers from the UK. 67% [2] of Britons would like to travel within the next 6 months, while 27% of them want to travel immediately this summer. Based on the results of the research, it seems that the well-to-do British travelers will be the first to travel this summer with a percentage of 37%, while they have at their disposal a travel budget of over 1,000 pounds.

British travelers show an intention to shop for clothes and accessories
Today only 43% of British travelers know that they are entitled to tax free shopping of which 62% express an intention to spend more because of the more attractive prices that the right to tax-free shopping brings.

Respectively, in the category of well-to-do British travelers with a travel budget of over λί 1,000, the same intention is expressed at 61%.

In fact, the vast majority of Britons want to shop for clothes and accessories (71%), followed by perfumes and cosmetics (47%), watches and jewelry (28%) and electronics (13%). %) [3].

50% of air ticket reservations from the UK in relation to 2019
According to travel research firm Forward Keys, ticket bookings from the UK to the EU for the period July – September, are currently at 50% compared to 2019.

In the last data of May, the airlines are betting in Greece with the availability of air seats being higher than that of 2019. In addition, it is impressive that the announcements of the government of the United Kingdom and the corresponding ranking of our country in the orange category, shifted availability from March to June, but without reducing the available positions – which from June onwards far exceed those of 2019, but also show continuous upward trends.

The Ionian Islands are the most popular destination for travelers from the UK
According to data from the SETE Institute, the Ionian Islands are the most popular destination for the British, followed by the Dodecanese and Crete. Attica owns 20% of the traffic, but is not an independent destination as it is considered a hub for transporting visitors to the islands via Piraeus.

More specifically, after Crete which holds 16%, Corfu gathers 14%, Rhodes follows with 12%, and Zakynthos with 9%. Thessaloniki, and consequently Halkidiki hold 7%, Kos 6% and Cephalonia 5% [4].

It is followed by Santorini and Mykonos with smaller shares of direct arrivals (2%), but with a greater concentration of British tourists through ferry connections.

Greek retail is 15-25% cheaper than the British one
Apart from being a most popular destination for summer vacations, Greece is becoming an attractive shopping destination. The Greek market is 5% -10% cheaper than the UK market. This in combination with the current VAT refund table, which adds an additional 10-15 percentage points, makes the Greek retail market a total of 15% -25% cheaper than the British one.

Mr. Manthos Dimopoulos, CEO of Global Blue Hellas said: “The changes brought by Brexit in the Tax Free Shopping market are an important opportunity for the development of Greek retail since our country is one of the most popular destinations for the British travelers. Global Blue, with the aim of serving British visitors, opens new VAT refund points in Kos, Kefalonia, Skiathos, Aktio and Kalamata. In addition, it provides new innovative solutions and tools that increase the efficiency of the merchant, attract new customers and serve the traveler faster “.

[1] Source: INSET Intelligence, 2019
[2] Source: Global Blue Survey, April 2021
[3] Source: Global Blue Survey, April 2021
[4] Source: INSET Intelligence, 2019

Source: traveldailynews.gr

Tatiana Rokou – 27 May 2021, 15:04