Greece tourism industry continues to break records, as data from the latest INSETE Statistical Bulletin reveals impressive growth in visitor arrivals and travel receipts through August 2024.
The report, covering January to August, highlights increases in both air and road arrivals, as well as a notable rise in travel revenue, reinforcing Greece’s status as a premier global travel destination.
With Greece welcoming millions of travelers, the nation’s tourism sector is capitalizing on a surge in demand, particularly from European visitors, while also witnessing a rise in the popularity of short-term rentals.
International Air Arrivals See Steady Growth
From January to August 2024, Greece recorded a total of 18.9 million international air arrivals, representing an 8% increase over the same period in 2023, which saw 17.5 million arrivals.
In August alone, international air arrivals reached 4.5 million, up 7.4% (an increase of 311,000 arrivals) from August 2023. This rise in air travel highlights the ongoing recovery and growth of Greece’s tourism industry, positioning it ahead of pre-pandemic levels and showcasing the country’s strong appeal among global travelers.
The increase in arrivals was particularly notable across several key regions in Greece. Regional airports saw an overall growth of 6%, totaling 13.4 million arrivals. Among the regions, Crete stood out with 3.9 million international air arrivals, marking a 6.3% rise. The Dodecanese islands also recorded significant growth, with arrivals increasing by 10.6% to 3.3 million. The Ionian Islands welcomed 2.9 million international air visitors, a 5.2% increase, while the Peloponnese saw the highest growth rate at 12%, with arrivals totaling 167,000. However, the Cyclades islands experienced a slight decline, recording a 1% decrease with 1 million international arrivals.
Road Arrivals Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
International road arrivals also contributed substantially to Greece’s tourism growth. In the January to August 2024 period, Greece recorded 8.8 million international road arrivals, marking a 14% increase compared to the 7.7 million arrivals during the same period in 2023. This surge has pushed road arrivals past 2019 levels, indicating a strong recovery in cross-border tourism.
In August 2024 alone, Greece recorded 2.5 million road arrivals, an increase of 14.5% (or 315,000 arrivals) over August 2023. The majority of road travelers came from neighboring countries, with significant growth in arrivals from Bulgaria, Turkey, and North Macedonia.
Arrivals from Bulgaria rose by 17.8% to reach 4 million, while Turkey saw an impressive 32.9% increase, totaling 1 million arrivals. Road travelers from North Macedonia also increased by 9.2%, bringing the total to 2.6 million, while arrivals from Albania remained steady, with a slight increase of 0.1% to 1.2 million.
Rising Travel Receipts Reflect Increased Spending
The growth in visitor numbers has also translated into higher travel receipts, with tourism revenue showing strong gains through July 2024. From January to July, Greece’s travel receipts reached €10.95 billion, reflecting a 5.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This boost in revenue can be attributed to increased spending by European Union travelers, with receipts from EU residents rising by 7.6% to €6.03 billion. Non-EU countries also contributed to the growth, with receipts increasing by 1.5% to reach €4.47 billion.
Among EU nations, the euro area generated €4.73 billion in receipts, marking a 4% increase, while receipts from non-euro EU countries surged by 23.2% to €1.3 billion. Germany, one of Greece’s largest tourist markets, contributed €1.76 billion, showing a modest growth of 1.4%. In contrast, receipts from France declined by 13.8% to €675 million, while Italy posted a significant 20.7% increase, contributing €605 million.
The United Kingdom continued to be a key market, with receipts from British travelers rising by 11.3% to €1.73 billion. Meanwhile, receipts from the United States saw a slight decline of 3% to €760 million, and revenue from Russia plummeted by 65.2%, totaling just €8.3 million.
Short-Term Rentals on the Rise
Another noteworthy trend in Greece’s tourism landscape is the steady growth in short-term rentals. In the first half of 2024, the number of short-term rental accommodations showed a continuous upward trend compared to 2023, though the pace of growth slowed slightly in July and August. In August 2024, the total number of available accommodations reached 233,000, a 25,000 increase over August 2023.
The number of short-term rental beds also saw a considerable rise. From January to July, the availability of beds in short-term rentals grew steadily, surpassing 1 million beds in July, marking an increase of 82,000 beds compared to July 2023. While August witnessed a slight slowdown in growth, the supply of beds remained strong, affirming Greece’s ability to accommodate the high demand for flexible lodging options throughout the summer.
Outlook for Greece Tourism Sector
As Greece’s tourism sector continues to experience robust growth in 2024, the data indicates that the nation is effectively leveraging its appeal among both European and non-European travelers. The consistent increase in air and road arrivals, alongside a rise in travel receipts, underscores Greece’s position as a leading global travel destination. The surge in short-term rental availability highlights the country’s adaptability in meeting evolving traveler preferences for varied accommodation options.
With the sector continuing to thrive, Greece’s tourism industry is poised to capitalize on this momentum in the coming years. The country’s appeal, rooted in its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant islands, continues to draw millions of travelers seeking unique experiences. As the year progresses, Greece’s tourism sector is expected to maintain its upward trajectory, reinforcing its status as a resilient and highly desirable destination in the global travel landscape.
