Specifically, as stated in the special edition, around 1.4 billion tourists traveled in 2024, approximately 11% more than in 2023, and essentially the same as in 2019.
At the same time, many regions worldwide surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with arrivals in the Middle East reaching 132% of 2019 levels, in Africa 107%, in Greece 106%, and in Europe 101%. However, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region are still lagging behind in fully recovering arrivals, recording 97% and 87% of 2019 levels, respectively.
Regarding global tourism revenues for 2024, initial estimates indicate they will exceed pre-pandemic levels, aligning with the increase in arrivals and approaching or even surpassing 2019 levels.
In this context, Greek tourism had a particularly dynamic performance, with international tourist arrivals (excluding cruise passengers) in 2024 reaching 36 million, an increase of +9.8% compared to 2023 and +6% compared to 2019.
At the same time, travel receipts (excluding cruises) grew by +4.3% to €20.6 billion. Cruise revenue showed a significant increase of +31.2%, reaching €1.1 billion. Thus, total revenues, including those from cruises, increased by +5.4%, reaching €21.7 billion.
International Arrivals 2024
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Air Arrivals: There were 26.0 million international air arrivals, showing an increase of +2.0 million / +8.1% compared to 2023. A significant increase in arrivals was recorded at Athens airport (+12.0%).
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Road Arrivals: International road arrivals reached 11.9 million, up from 10.4 million in 2023, an increase of 1.5 million / +14.4%.
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Cruise & Ferry Traffic from the Adriatic: In 51 ports across the country, total passenger arrivals reached 7.9 million, an increase of +13% compared to 2023, while cruise ship arrivals reached 5,490, showing a +5% increase. Passenger traffic from the Adriatic is estimated to have decreased by -5.8% in 2024 compared to 2023, with an estimated 1.3 million passengers.
Receipts & GDP 2024
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Travel receipts (excluding cruises) increased by +4.3% to €20.6 billion.
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Cruise revenue saw a significant increase of +31.2%, reaching €1.1 billion. Overall, total revenues, including those from cruises, rose by +5.4%, totaling €21.7 billion. This development is attributed to an increase in receipts from EU-27 residents by +7.0%, amounting to €11.949 billion, and from non-EU residents by +0.8%, amounting to €8.641 billion.
Specifically, receipts from Germany increased by +3.5% to €3.696 billion, while receipts from France decreased by -11.4% to €1.263 billion. Receipts from Italy increased by +13.6%, amounting to €1.225 billion. From other countries, receipts from the United Kingdom decreased by -3.7%, totaling €3.173 billion, while receipts from the US rose by +15.1%, reaching €1.581 billion. The average per capita expenditure (excluding cruises) reached €573, showing a decrease of -€30 / -5.1% in 2024 compared to €603 in 2023.
Domestic Tourism 2024
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There were 9.7 million domestic air arrivals in 2024, compared to 9.0 million in 2023, marking a +7.1% increase.
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As for ferry traffic, the estimated number of passengers reached 19.4 million, compared to 18.7 million in 2023, showing an increase of +3.5%.
Hotel Performance 2024
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The turnover of hotels amounted to €11.4 billion in 2024, increased by +9% compared to 2023, where the total turnover was €10.6 billion.
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The increase was higher in the 4* and 5* categories (+10%) and smaller in the 1*-3* categories (+5%).
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Hotels invested 9% of their turnover, i.e., €1 billion, compared to €761 million in 2023 (7% of turnover).
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The qualitative evaluation of hotels in 2024 remained high (hotel satisfaction index GRI 86.9% / Net Promoter Score 51).
Short-Term Rentals 2024
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According to Lighthouse data, the maximum number of offered accommodations was 233 thousand with 1 million beds in August, and the lowest was 190 thousand accommodations with 846 thousand beds in January. The corresponding figures in 2023 were 212 thousand accommodations and 939 thousand beds in July, and 172 thousand accommodations and 780 thousand beds in January.
Employment 2024
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At the peak of the tourist season (Q3) in 2024, employment in accommodations and catering amounted to 451 thousand, an increase of +2% from 441 thousand in 2023.
