Athens, Greece – Jet2, the United Kingdom’s largest tour operator to Greece, convened a significant summit for the Greek tourism industry in Athens this week. The event, titled ‘A Partnership for Growth,’ gathered the Minister of Tourism, regional governors, and senior industry figures for a day dedicated to presentations, strategic meetings, networking, and the exchange of knowledge, all aimed at fostering collaborative growth. This landmark occasion marks the first time a UK tour operator has hosted an event of such magnitude in Greece, underscoring Jet2’s profound commitment to the region.
Strengthening Strategic Relationships for Continued Growth
The summit was meticulously designed to fortify strategic relationships at both regional and national levels within the Greek tourism sector. Jet2’s initiative reflects its long-term dedication to Greece, providing a crucial platform for the company to impart valuable market intelligence and customer insights to its partners. Simultaneously, the event facilitated discussions on innovative strategies to enhance co-marketing activities and support the ongoing development of tourism across Greece.
A key aspect of the summit was the direct engagement between senior leaders from Jet2, including CEO Steve Heapy, and pivotal political and industry decision-makers. This interaction is vital as Jet2 continues its expansion and strengthens its successful partnership with the Greek tourism industry. The event saw the attendance of numerous influential tourism leaders and stakeholders, including the Greek Minister of Tourism, various regional governors, mayors, key industry representatives, airport stakeholders, and hoteliers.
Greece: A Cornerstone of Jet2’s Expansion Strategy
The timing of the summit was particularly opportune, coinciding with Jet2’s preparation for its largest-ever summer programme to Greece. This robust schedule highlights Greece’s sustained importance as a critical component of the company’s growth strategy. Greece has now ascended to become Jet2’s second-largest destination, experiencing an impressive 37% capacity growth since 2023, making it the company’s fastest-growing market.
This remarkable growth has been propelled by the introduction of new routes, fresh destinations, and extended seasons, all launched by Jet2 in direct response to robust demand from UK holidaymakers. As a direct consequence of this expansion, Jet2 stands as the UK’s leading operator to Greece in 2026, offering 134 routes connecting Greece with various UK airports. In a recent testament to its unwavering commitment, Jet2 announced just yesterday three brand-new routes for Summer 2027, including flights from London Luton Airport to Chania, Halkidiki (an exclusive route), and Kefalonia (another exclusive route).
For the upcoming summer season, Jet2 is poised to operate to 16 airport gateways and 28 distinct destinations across Greece. This comprehensive offering includes brand-new destinations for Summer 2026 such as Samos, Meganisi, and the Olympus Riviera, with Kavala and Thassos slated to join the roster for Summer 2027. Attendees at the summit gained further insights into the award-winning benefits of traveling with Jet2, recognized as the UK’s favourite airline and tour operator.
Industry Leaders Praise Collaborative Approach
The summit featured a compelling address from Olga Kefalogianni, the Greek Minister of Tourism, followed by a keynote speech delivered by Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2. Heapy lauded the Greek tourism industry for its collaborative approach in working with Jet2 and reiterated his commitment to continuing this partnership for mutual success.
Steve Heapy commented, “Greece is an incredibly important destination for Jet2, and this summit demonstrates the strength of our long-term commitment to working in partnership with the Greek tourism industry. By bringing together national and regional leaders, industry partners, and our own senior team, we have been able to share insight, discuss future opportunities, and build on the strong relationships that underpin our continued growth in Greece. With our biggest ever summer programme ahead, we are hugely excited about the future and remain fully focused on delivering more choice, more capacity, and award-winning service for our customers and partners.”
Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The United Kingdom remains one of Greece’s most important source markets. Our partnership with Jet2 helps strengthen tourism flows, extend the tourism season, and showcase the diversity of the Greek travel experience. Our long-standing collaboration is an excellent example of how strong partnerships can create value for destinations, businesses, and travelers alike. This event provided a unique opportunity to build on these partnerships, and we thank Jet2 for organising a successful day.”
This summit serves as a clear indication of the robust and evolving relationship between Jet2 and the Greek tourism industry, promising continued growth and enhanced travel experiences for holidaymakers.
Source: https://www.jet2plc.com/news/2026/06/Jet2_hosts_major_Greek_tourism_industry_summit_in_Athens
