Silver Tourism
Travelling has no age, gender or ethnicity and for this reason it remains the favorite hobby of most people. Tourism is, for many countries, one of the most important economic pillars and Greece could not be missing from this list. The sun, the sea and the crystal clear waters attract millions of tourists each year to Greece and the Greek islands. If we look at the statistics, we can see young people, couples and families making travelling a priority- but what about the seniors? What happens to this group of people? Seniors, both as travelers and potential buyers, represent an important part our population who are actively choosing communities designed to serve their needs when travelling or relocating. These communities usually feature wellness, medical and physiotherapy facilities. In fact, this tourism group has all the background to become dominant in the tourism industry, as, according to Eurostat data, the number of older people in Europe is expected to increase, with those over 65 reflecting 27.8 % of the population of the Old Continent until 2050. Plus, this group has the financial stability to be spending for their leisure. Among the 10 countries worldwide that expect the largest increase in their population aging, are Germany, Italy, France, Britain and Switzerland, from which Greece traditionally receives a large number of tourists and interested buyers who dream to have a better quality of life. Furthermore, the Greek State offers special benefits to seniors relocating to Greece, which adds on the list of “why” choose Greece foe their retirement. Greece is aspiring British expats’ fifth most popular destination for retiring abroad, according to a new survey by PensionBee, which has found that almost half (47%) of wannabe expats would now like to retire abroad as a result of Covid-19 travel restrictions inspiring them to travel more in later life. The silver economy of the EU is expected to grow by 5% a year from €3.7 trillion in 2015 to €5.7 trillion in 2025. Developing the silver economy has significant potential to create jobs and attract foreign investment to Greece. The recently passed tax incentive for retirees to relocate to Greece is expected to bring €5 billion annually into the economy and create 60,000 jobs, according to a recent study. Greece emerged as one of the best destinations after the list of the global lockdowns, establishing a strong presence - with growth tendencies- both in tourism and real estate markets. Overall, from January to August this year, Greek airports handled a total of 15.4 million international visitors. International tourist arrivals peaked in June up by 1.7 percent to 3.2 million over the same month in 2019 and in July by 8.9 percent to 4.2 million with August marking a 4.5 percent rise to 4 million. The Ionian Islands, which include Corfu and Kefalonia, reported an 11.6 percent increase to 2.6 million international arrivals The elements of success...
- Affordable Pricing and Cost of Living. The cost of living in Greece is relatively low, and with a nice budget, you can afford a great residence. Purchasing a home in Greece might be the best option for foreigners.
- Healthcare. Greece offers its citizens free access to healthcare services. Both public and private institutions offer high standards of healthcare with a number of specialized doctors.
- Safety. The country is amongst the safest counties in the world; therefore, you shall feel safe wandering around the beautiful streets.
- Cuisine. Greek cuisine is known for being healthy and has a heavy use of olive oil, fish, lean meats, and vegetables.
- Great weather and a laidback lifestyle
- Friendly and hospitable people. The Greeks have the fame of being open hearted, loving and giving people, making the travelers feel like home
- High quality of life - Mediterranean diet
- Tax benefits - 7% flat tax rate
- Residence permits for 3rd country nationals such as the Golden Visa program
Investing in Kefalonia
The island of Kefalonia, in the Ionian Sea, is famous for its beautiful beaches, national park and welcoming locals. Why Invest In Kefalonia? Greece is a very promising country for investments in real estate to generate income. In recent years, property in Kefalonia has acquired fast growing interest for investors, so now is the perfect time to invest (because prices for lands are still low compared to Mykonos) . For several years, the island has become a popular destination among residents of European countries who buy property for their own residence, for coming here from time to time, or buying residential and commercial real estate for investment purposes. The properties in Kefalonia have their important place in the ranking of consumer priorities: demand on the island’s property has increased by almost 4 times over the past 5-6 years. Due to the exclusivity of Kefalonia as a holiday destination, investors can command very high rental returns compared to most Mediterranean resorts.
- You can travel to Kefalonia by plane from Athens and abroad. Tourism infrastructure is very good. Kefalonia is a destination not for the masses, but for selective tourism. On the island there are excellent hotels, restaurants, water sports and diving centers. It is a paradise for sea activities!
- Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year, the Island enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with long warm summers and mild winters. It is very important for the resorts, so your summer season can be very long.
- With tourism increasing year on year, so does the demand for accommodation, whether that is in the form of high class hotels or the increasingly popular private villa market.