Tourism Bonanza for Greece in 2024 Brings in 28.5 Billion Euros
03/01/2025Source: The National Herald
Greece’s biggest revenue engine – tourism – brought in more than 28.5 billion euros ($29.66 billion) in a record-breaking 2023, amounting to 13 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The sector is on a path to break that in 2024 that saw hordes of foreign arrivals setting records at the international and regional airports with Greece ranked among the top destinations in the world for tourists.
The annual report by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE) said that most people went to South Aegean spots as Greece’s islands continue to be a lure for people around the world.
That region brought in 27 percent of the revenues, with Crete close behind at 26 percent, the Attica prefecture – which includes the capital that’s created a buzz – bringing in 19 percent of the money.
Then came the western Ionian islands with 10 percent, followed by central Macedonia at 8 percent, the five regions bringing in 91 percent of the total tourist receipts although spending per visitor was down in some cases.
Despite some lingering reports of gouging – primarily on Mykonos and by taxi drivers taking advantage of visitors – there was 91 percent satisfaction in ratings by tourists about the country, the organization said.
Cultural activities showed 93 percent approval in the third quarter and 94 percent in the fourth quarter, archaeological sites and museums garnering strong reviews and becoming even more alluring for tourists.
The previous record year was 2019, tourism interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic that struck early in 2020 and almost halted international travel because of health restrictions that weren’t lifted in Greece until 2022.
Between 2019-23, inbound tourism rose 4 percent, rising from 31.3 million travelers in 2019 to 32.7 million in 2023. There was a 26 percent surge in cruise ship passengers, from 2.7 million in 2019 to 3.3 million in 2023.
There were 36 million visitors in 2023, a 6 percent increase compared to 2019 and representing more than three times the country’s population. The average spending in the country in the four-year period rose 13 percent, from 482 euros ($501.64) per person to 546 euros ($568.25) in 2023 before showing signs of slipping in 2024.