International air arrivals to Greece have seen an impressive surge in 2024, with several Greek islands experiencing record highs.
In the period from January to July 2024, Greece welcomed 14.4 million international air travelers, an increase of 8.2% compared to the same period in 2023.
The growth translates to an additional 1.1 million tourists choosing Greece as their travel destination this year.
Crete led the way among the Greek islands, recording 2.9 million international air arrivals—up by 6.7%, or 182,000 more visitors compared to the previous year.
The Dodecanese islands, another popular destination group, experienced an 11.4% rise, totaling 2.4 million arrivals.
The Ionian Islands also saw an increase, welcoming 104,000 more visitors, up by 5.3%, reaching a total of 2.1 million international arrivals.
The Peloponnese region, known for its historical sites and natural beauty, also saw significant growth. Arrivals to the area reached 122,000, marking a 12% increase or 13,000 more tourists than the same period last year.
In contrast, the Cyclades, including famous destinations like Mykonos and Santorini, recorded a slight decline of 2.4%, with 17,000 fewer visitors than in 2023.
The rise in air arrivals coincided with a substantial increase in road arrivals as well. From January to July 2024, international road arrivals reached 6.3 million, up by 13.8% or 762,000 compared to the previous year. Notable increases were seen from Bulgaria (+16.4%), Turkey (+38.4%), and North Macedonia (+11.0%). However, road arrivals from Albania experienced a slight decline of 1.7%.
Tourism spending is also on the rise. In the first half of 2024, travel receipts grew by 12.2%, reaching €6,921 million. The increase is driven by visitors from the European Union, whose spending rose by 14.8%, and from countries outside the EU, where spending increased by 8.4%.
Specifically, visitors from Germany spent €1,223 million, an increase of 7.4%, while tourists from the UK contributed €1,009 million, marking a 19.9% increase. Receipts from American travelers also saw growth, albeit modestly, rising by 1.0% to €540 million.
Short-term rental accommodations have also experienced growth, though with a hint of slowing demand in July 2024. The number of accommodations in short-term rentals reached 232,000, an increase of 20,000 from July 2023.
However, while the number of available beds had steadily risen by 85,000 in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, the growth rate slowed down in July, indicating that the market may be reaching its peak.
The overall increase in tourist arrivals and spending underscores Greece’s continued appeal as a top travel destination.
With the trend expected to continue, destinations like Crete, the Dodecanese, and the Ionian Islands are poised for a thriving tourist season ahead.
