The annual list of the five best Greek islands for alternative tourism for 2023 was announced after the conclusion of the tourism exhibition in Utrecht and after a survey by Griekenland.net, the most popular travel website in the Netherlands for holidays in Greece, which has millions of readers. According to experts from the website and KALA Magazine, the new travel trend encourages the choice of non-massive destinations that can provide authentic experiences and different activities.
The first place is occupied by Karpathos, which through its history and traditions «travels» visitors back in time. It is followed by Astypalaia, the «butterfly of the Aegean», which is becoming a model sustainable island of the Mediterranean and charms with its picturesque villages. The third place belongs to exotic Milos, followed by Patmos, which is awe-inspiring with the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse, the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the imposing Chora. In fifth place is Kalymnos, which is winning impressions worldwide for its climbing fields and its tradition of sponging.
«Karpathos is coming back strongly after the pandemic, with the prospect of an extended season. An encouraging point is that international air arrivals for October showed an all-time high for the last 35 years! We are working systematically for a season that will start much earlier than in previous years. Our aim is to promote the quality of the destination through its traditions, history, activities and gastronomy», said Manolis Paragios, Deputy Mayor of Karpathos Municipality of Tourism.
«Destinations that invest in sustainability are gaining ground. In Astypalaia, we are attempting to marry natural beauty with authenticity and sustainability, shaping the future of our tourism. The jump in arrivals with 52% increase by air and 7.4% by ferry from May to August compared to 2019, confirms the need of tourists for the different,» said Astypalea Mayor Nikos Komeneas.
«The promotion of religious and historical sites is part of Patmos» DNA and a component of the enriched identity we are promoting. The island of Apocalypse is attracting international travel interest, while it is becoming a major cruise destination that even recorded an impressive 36.9% increase in cruise ships compared to 2019," said Deputy Mayor of Tourism of the Municipality of Patmos Nikos Koutouzos.
The mayor of Kalymnos, Dimitris Diakomichalis added: «Kalymnos is a paradise for climbers, scuba divers and, more broadly, for lovers of activities, tradition and authenticity, elements that contribute to the lengthening of the tourist season. It is no coincidence that Kalymnos for the months of September and October 2022 recorded the second highest percentage increase in air arrivals in all of Greece compared to 2021, with a rate of +99.8%».
