Greece Tourism Hits Record Highs in August 2024

source: ftnnews.com 

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.

Read the full article, here!