This week, Greece lifted all Covid-19 restrictions for foreign and domestic flights, and hospitality businesses around the country are now preparing for what is predicted will be a successful tourism season ahead.

One strong indicator that it will indeed be a strong season is the increased number of direct flights to Greece from various parts of the world, not least from the US, from where a record number of 14 direct flights are now taking off. “They are already launching larger aircraft with more seats and new destinations while we put conference tourism back on the tourism map from the US,” Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Tuesday, following teleconferences held on Monday with senior executives of the three American companies conducting flights to Athens this year: Delta, American and United Airlines.

In a podcast produced by newspaper Kathimerini and the Hellenic American Leadership Council, the minister explains why he believes an all-time record of American tourists will visit Greece this year. He also discusses Greece’s expectations for this summer, and the efforts to make tourism a significant year-round enterprise for Greece.

Listen to the podcast, presented by Thanos Davelis, here.