Majority of travelers in Greece hail from Germany
Greece, with its glorious sun, azure skies, pristine beaches, and refreshing sea, remains a coveted vacation destination for many. Among those most enthralled are tourists from Germany, who have been a significant part of Greek tourism for years and continue to dominate the scene.
In 2023, approximately 36 million tourists visited Greece—the highest number ever. Of these, a substantial 5.7 million arrived from Germany, marking an almost 13% increase compared to the previous year and securing Germany's position as the leading source of tourists. This trend is expected to persist in 2024, according to the Greek Tourism Confederation SETE.
The United Kingdom comes in second, with 4.7 million British tourists, while Bulgaria follows with close to 3 million visitors. A notable increase in visitors has been observed in the northern Aegean region, which includes islands such as Lesbos, Chios, and Samos, with a 40% rise in tourists compared to the previous year. Collectively, tourists accounted for around 230 million overnight stays and generated over 20 billion euros in revenue. The average length of stay was six nights, with an average spend of around 523 euros.
When it comes to costs, there is considerable regional variance. A visit to the popular holiday island of Crete, for instance, can cost an average of 770 euros, while visitors to the Epirus region in the northwest can manage with 192 euros.
Tourism plays a key role in Greece's economy, contributing about 30% of the country's gross domestic product, both directly and indirectly. This includes suppliers and supporting services. For more information on the historical connection, cultural and natural attractions, and other factors contributing to Greece's popularity among German tourists, please refer to the enrichment data provided.
In 2023, the implementation of a community policy and lifestyle-friendly employment policies in Greece could potentially attract more tourists, leading to increased revenue, as demonstrated by the nearly 13% increase in German tourists over the previous year. Financing for this initiative might be sourced from the tourism sector, which brings in over 20 billion euros annually and makes up approximately 30% of Greece's gross domestic product.
