Athens, August 2025 — Greece’s travel industry is enjoying a massive resurgence, with tourism receipts soaring and visitor spending reaching new heights. According to the Bank of Greece, travel income for the first half of 2025 soared to €7.6 billion, marking an 11% increase year-on-year and highlighting the country’s deepening recovery in the global tourism landscape.
The period also saw a travel sector surplus of €6 billion, up 9.1% from last year. This sector contributes significantly—over a quarter—to Greece’s GDP, reinforcing its role as a linchpin of economic revival.
Spending Breakdown: Who’s Fueling the Surge?
Tourism income reflects dynamic regional shifts:
- EU visitors contributed €4.1 billion, an 8.5% rise.
- Non-EU tourists outpaced that with a 13.7% increase, reaching €3.2 billion.
Breaking it down further, Germany stood out with a 13.5% rise, contributing roughly €1.37 billion, followed closely by spending from Italy at “up 9%” and France at “+2.1%.”
Meanwhile, U.S. traveler spending skyrocketed, surging 29.4% to €704 million, cementing Greece’s place as a top long-haul destination.
Revenue Jumps in Peak Month of June
June alone accounted for €3.31 billion in travel revenue, up 8.8% from June 2024, even as visitor numbers slightly dipped. This speaks to higher per capita spending—an essential trend helping prop up the sector.
Inbound Trends: Slight Growth in Numbers, Big Gains in Spending
Overall inbound arrivals rose modestly by 0.6% to 11.7 million in H1 2025, while airport entries grew 4.9%—contrasting with a 13.1% drop in road crossings. The increase in per-traveler spending (up 10.1%) underscores richer interaction and rising quality of tourism offerings.
Economic Ripple Effects
Tourism not only fills the state coffers—it directly stabilizes the economy. H1 travel income covered 35.4% of Greece’s goods trade deficit and represented 81.6% of service net receipts. These figures point to tourism’s powerful multiplier effect across households, businesses, and sectors.
This growth underscores a broader southern European resurgence, supported by EU investments, structural reforms, and flexible adaptation to global demand trends. Greece, specifically, outpaces many peers in tourism-driven recovery.
Why Tourists Keep Choosing Greece
- Improved Infrastructure & Competitive Deals
Investments in connectivity—from airports to hotels—paired with targeted marketing, have made Greece more accessible and appealing. - Variety of Attractions
From iconic heritage sites in Athens to stunning shores of the Aegean, cultural festivals, and renowned cuisine, Greece delivers an all-in-one experience. - Southern Economy Relies on Tourism
Anecdotally, studies (like Eurobank reports) describe tourism as a growth engine, supporting local services, creating jobs, and reinforcing economic stability. - Outbound Markets Expand
With U.S. travel surging and EU visitors spending more, Greece stands resilient in the face of global travel trends.
What Lies Ahead
While trends are firmly positive, challenges remain. The overshadowing concern is sustainability: managing rising demand while maintaining infrastructure, environment, and affordability is key. Further, Greece must continue to broaden connectivity—including unserved markets like Australia—while maintaining regional balance and equity for locals.
Summary at a Glance
| Aspect | Insight |
|---|---|
| H1 2025 Growth | €7.6B in receipts (+11%), €6B surplus |
| Top Spend Markets | Germany, Italy, France, USA |
| Tourist Numbers | Slight rise (0.6%), but stronger spending per visitor |
| Economic Leverage | Tourism offsets trade deficit and dominates service revenues |
| Outlook | High-performing tourism sector, needs sustainable and inclusive expansion |
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