German Tourists Lead Visitations in Greece - German tourists lead in visitation numbers in Greece
Greek Tourism: Germany Remains Preeminent Source Country in 2024
Greece experienced a record-breaking year in tourism in 2024, according to data from the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and its research institute INSETE. Approximately 40.7 million tourists visited the country, representing a 12.8% increase from the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
German tourists dominated the tourist influx, contributing 4.8 million arrivals, a 13% increase compared to 2023. This significant growth in German tourism generated around €3.7 billion ($4.1 billion) in tourism receipts for Greece, more than any other source country.
Britons followed closely behind Germany, with 4.7 million guests. Bulgaria ranked third with 3 million visitors, accounting for a substantial number of tourists. However, the trend shows a decline in tourism receipts from the United Kingdom of about 4.1% compared to previous years.
The northern Aegean region was the standout tourist destination, experiencing a 40% increase in visitors compared to the previous year. This region encompasses popular islands like Lesbos, Chios, and Samos.
Tourists from around the world accounted for approximately 230 million overnight stays, generating a turnover of over €21.6 billion. On average, guests stayed for six nights and spent around €523.
Regional differences in spending emerged in 2024. A visit to the popular vacation island of Crete cost an average of around €770, while visitors to the region of Epirus in northwestern Greece needed only €192.
Tourism remains a critical sector of the Greek economy, accounting for nearly 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The trend shows a strong and expanding tourism sector driven primarily by European visitors, with the United States also showing significant growth. While some traditional markets like Russia and France experienced declines, Italy showed a significant increase in tourism revenue.
GreeceGerman TourismTourism RevenueGerman Tourism ReceiptsTourist ArrivalsTourism SectorEuropean MarketUS TourismRussian TourismFrench TourismItalian Tourism
[1] "Greek Tourism set for record year as arrivals reach 40.7 million," Xinhua, 2024.[2] "Greek Tourism Double Digit Growth in 2024," SETE Press Release, 2024.[3] "Tourism in Greece surges, setting new milestone for visitor arrivals," Greece Tourism Board, 2024.[4] "Greek Tourism sees robust recovery and expansion in 2024," Euromonitor International, 2024.
In light of the growing success in the Greek tourism sector, it might be beneficial for the community to implement a policy that supports sustainable vocational training for locals, particularly those engaged in the hospitality and travel industry. This move could potentially enhance the overall tourist experience, encouraging the continued growth of German tourism revenue and attracting more tourists from the United States and other European markets.
