Greece celebrates a significant milestone as its tourism sector exceeds billions in revenue, surpassing levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement underscores Greece's resilience and recovery in the face of unprecedented challenges, highlighting its enduring appeal as a premier tourist destination.

Key highlights to note about Greece Tourism sector

The following are the important highlights to note about the Greece tourism sector and how they managed to surpass the 2019 levels;

Tourism Revenues reaches billions

Between January and November of 2023, Greece’s travel receipts reached an impressive figure amounting to billions that represents a 15.4% increase compared to 2022 and a 10% increase compared to 2019, the pre-pandemic year. In 2022, travel receipts witnessed a notable figure, whereas in 2019, they saw a slightly higher amount.

Top Countries Contributing to Greece’s Tourism Revenue

Delving into the pivotal role of tourism in Greece's economy, identifying the leading contributors to its revenue offers crucial insights. The following nations stand out for their substantial impact on Greece's tourism sector, shaping its trajectory and economic vitality.

• United Kingdom (UK): British tourists play a significant role in Greece’s tourism industry with receipts reaching billions. In 2022, the UK was one of the leading international travel markets for Greece, with a substantial number of arrivals.
• Germany: German love for Greek islands, historical sites, and Mediterranean cuisine made them a vital source of income for the country. German tourists consistently contribute to Greece’s tourism revenue. 
• Israel: Israeli tourists have shown increased interest in Greece, especially following the war. The surge in Israeli arrivals has positively impacted Greece’s tourism sector.
• Cyprus: Greece’s neighbouring island nation, Cyprus, also contributes significantly to its tourism revenue. In 2023, Cyprus ranked second in terms of visitor numbers
• Italy and Spain: These Mediterranean neighbours share strong cultural ties with Greece. Both countries contribute substantially to Greece’s tourism receipts.
• Turkey: Despite occasional political tensions, Turkey remains an important market for Greek tourism. Turkish travellers explore the Aegean and Ionian coasts, contributing to Greece’s revenue.
• France: French tourists, known for their appreciation of art, history, and gastronomy, visit Greece’s iconic destinations, bolstering the country’s tourism income.

Increased Inbound Travellers

During the first 11 months of 2023, Greece experienced a 17.3% increase in inbound travellers compared to 2022. The volume of travellers passing through airports increased by 12.5%, and road border-crossing points saw a growth of 34.5%. Travellers from within the EU27 rose by 15%, while travellers from outside the EU27 increased by 20.9%.

The graph below shows the growth of travellers in Greece in the 11 months of 2023.

Visitor Origins

The majority of tourists visiting Greece during this period were from: Germany (+8.7%), France (4%), The United Kingdom (2.9%) and The United States (31.3%). However, the number of tourists from Russia decreased by 5.9%

The Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the sector, which he said is a driving force of the economy appreciating how tourism is reaching 2019 levels. He confirmed that in July and August more than 2 million tourists visited Greece and more than 6 million so far in 2021, which he said was a positive sign. Citing central bank data, Theoharis said it indicated that tourism activity was on track to recovery.

FAQS

How much tourism revenue did Greece generate in 2022? 

Greece generated over €20 billion in tourism receipts in 2022, surpassing the amount achieved in the previous record year of 2019.

What was the growth rate compared to 2021?

Tourism revenues in 2022 expanded by over 50% compared to 2021 as arrivals rebounded robustly.

How many tourist arrivals contributed to 2022 revenues?

Arrivals topped 28 million tourists in 2022, still below the visitors in 2019 but representing a doubling over 2021. 

Which country provided the most visitors to Greece?

Germany led visitor numbers with over 5 million arrivals as Europe remained the key source region.

Will revenues continue rising post-pandemic?

Officials project sustaining rising revenue momentum beyond short-term pandemic recovery based on strong forward bookings and new infrastructure augmenting capacity.