Greece’s tourism sector is experiencing a major surge, with international arrivals in the first five months of the year up 5% over last year, significantly outpacing the European average and driven by a massive influx of visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.
According to a new report from the European Travel Commission (ETC), arrivals from the UK were up by a remarkable 40% year-on-year, while visitors from Germany increased by 20% and from the U.S. by 16.2%.
The strong performance comes as Europe as a whole saw a more modest 3.3% rise in international arrivals during the same period.
The numbers are bolstered by exceptionally high satisfaction rates, particularly among American and British female visitors, who gave Greece top marks for its travel experience in a separate report by Greece's INSETE intelligence unit.
The data also points to a strategic success for Greece in its effort to extend the tourist season beyond the summer months.
The ETC report notes a growing demand for off-season holidays in sunny coastal destinations, a trend from which Greece, along with Spain and Portugal, is a primary beneficiary.
While most major markets showed strong growth, arrivals from France saw a 20% decline, a shift attributed to a growing preference among French travelers for domestic holidays.
Overall, the reports paint a picture of a robust and resilient Greek tourism industry, which continues to build on its reputation not just for its iconic landscapes but for providing a high-quality visitor experience that keeps travelers coming back.