Greece’s tourism industry is experiencing significant growth in 2024, with international arrivals and travel receipts reaching new heights.
According to the latest statistics bulletin, the period from January to May 2024 saw a remarkable 5.9 million international air arrivals, surpassing the same period in 2023 by 12.8%, equating to an additional 672,000 arrivals.
In May alone, international air arrivals totaled 2.9 million, an increase of 338,000 or 13.3%.
This growth was observed across all geographical areas except for the Cyclades. Crete, for instance, recorded 957,000 international air arrivals, an increase of 87,000 or 10.0%. The Dodecanese airports welcomed 763,000 international air arrivals, up by 92,000 or 13.8%, while the Ionian Islands saw a rise of 60,000 or 12.9%, totaling 526,000 international air arrivals. Conversely, the Cyclades experienced a slight decline, with 158,000 international air arrivals, a decrease of 5,000 or 3.1%.
Road arrivals also surged, with 2.5 million international road arrivals recorded from January to May 2024, up 13.3% or 296,000 from the same period in 2023. In May alone, road arrivals reached 770,000, showing a substantial increase of 211,000 or 37.7%. Notably, road arrivals from Albania decreased by 6.7% to 562,000, while those from Bulgaria and North Macedonia increased by 20.6% and 9.7%, respectively.
Travel receipts also saw a significant boost. From January to April 2024, travel receipts increased by 22.0% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to €1,786 million. This growth is primarily driven by a 38.5% increase in receipts from residents of European Union countries, totaling €942 million, and a 7.5% rise from residents of other countries, reaching €780 million. Specifically, receipts from Germany increased by 31.1% to €236 million, and from the United States by 35.7% to €205 million. However, receipts from the United Kingdom fell by 16.7% to €112 million, and from Russia by 62.7% to €2 million.
The short-term rental sector is also thriving, with a continuous increase in accommodation supply reflecting its growth potential. In January 2024, the number of accommodations was 190,000, a 10.2% increase compared to 2023. This upward trend continued throughout the following months, with May recording a total of 218,000 accommodation establishments, marking an 11.0% increase.
In terms of quality, Greece ranks second in the overall hotel satisfaction index (GRI) with a score of 87%, just behind Cyprus at 88%. Greece outperformed Turkey, Spain, and Italy, which scored 85%, and France, which scored 80%.
These impressive figures highlight Greece’s robust tourism industry and its appeal as a top travel destination. With increased international arrivals, higher travel receipts, and a growing short-term rental market, Greece is well-positioned for continued success in the tourism sector.
