Greece Still Getting More Tourists But Spending Less Than Before

Economy

Greece Still Getting More Tourists But Spending Less Than Before

July 30, 2024

ACROPOLIS The Acropolis is closed from 12 noon to 5 pm following a decision of the Ministry of Culture due to the heat wave.

FILE - Groups of tourists queue at the Propylaea, Wednesday, July 17, 2024 (MARIANTHI TSOMBANOPOULOU/EUROKINISSI)

ATHENS – There’s good news and bad news about Greece being on a path to break tourism records for a second year: the good news is that the number of arrivals keeps growing but the bad news is that they’re being more careful how they spend.

Figures from the Bank of Greece showed tourism revenues in May increased by 6.8 percent and arrivals jumped 21.1 – percent – before the peak period, but that the average spending per trip fell 12.2 percent.

The overall increase in revenues was attributed to the greater numbers coming as the average expenditure per person has dropped sharply despite soaring prices for accommodations, food, drinks and other commodities favored by tourists.

The trend, the bank report indicated, began in the autumn of 2023 which showed that international travelers spent an average of 570.70 euros ($618.23) per trip, a drop of 3.5 percent or 21 euros ($22.75) compared to 2022.

Visitors aren’t staying as long as before either, cutting their trips short as worries mount that blistering heat waves could also see the number of arrivals begin to drop if travelers go to cooler climes. The average length of stay in 2023 fell 11.2 percent.

The 7 percent decline in average spending per trip is worrisome given inflation and sharp rises in prices for goods and services in the last two years, with tourism areas so expensive many Greeks can’t go to them any more.

The report suggested the drop in tourist spending is because of rising airline and ferry prices – traveling to Greek islands now jumping out of reach for many families – and has seen more discriminatory spending and Greeks taking shorter vacations.

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