Officials representing merchants at Thasos port say this year's summer tourism cycle has delivered solid growth in visitor numbers to the northern Aegean island. Speaking on state radio ERT Kavala, Anastasios Bilias, president of the Thasos Port Merchants Association, emphasized that independent travel by car has once again proved critical to the island's tourism performance. The remarks suggest that road-accessible destinations continue to draw travelers even as broader tourism patterns shift, with automotive tourism providing a cushion for local businesses dependent on seasonal visitation.