Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni (center) in New York accompanied by Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) President Angela Varela (left). Photo source: Tourism Ministry
With US demand for Greek travel reaching record levels in both 2024 and 2025, Greece is moving to deepen ties with the American market through expanded partnerships and enhanced air connectivity.
In line with this strategy, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni held a series of meetings in New York with leading US travel companies and market representatives to support rising interest from American travelers.
During the discussions, the minister highlighted the American market’s exceptional growth, noting Greece’s increasing popularity in the United States and the steady rise in arrivals and revenue driven by expanded direct flight connections.
Strong US demand backed by expanding air connectivity
Kefalogianni during a meeting in New York. Photo source: Tourism Ministry
According to the minister, 1,547,400 Americans visited Greece last year for vacations and business travel, generating 1.58 billion euros in revenue.
In the first nine months of 2025, arrivals from the United States increased by 5.6 percent compared to 2024, while travel receipts rose by 11.7 percent.
Data also show that two in three Americans express strong interest in traveling to Greece, Kefalogianni said.
She attributed the steady rise in US arrivals to robust direct air connectivity, noting that 103 direct flights now operate each week from the Eastern States to Athens.
Athens offers direct links (some are seasonal) to nine US cities through an expanded network (including Delta, United, American Airlines, Emirates and Norse).
She added that Greece and the US West Coast are connected by direct flights for the first time, while a new Dallas–Athens route from American Airlines is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Showcasing Greece to Global Traveler Magazine
Kefalogianni highlighting Greece’s tourism promotion agenda during an interview with Global Traveler. Photo source: Tourism Ministry
While in New York, the minister also gave an interview to Global Traveler, an internationally recognized publication specializing in luxury tourism and business travel.
She outlined Greece’s strategic agenda for sustainable development and for strengthening the country’s overall competitiveness.
Kefalogianni highlighted the sector’s strong performance and highlighted policies aimed at diversifying Greece’s tourism offering and promoting special forms of tourism, noting that these initiatives form the foundation for high-quality, sustainable growth.
Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.