Bank of Greece: Final data on 2019 record €18,1 million travel receipts
Based on final data, the balance of travel services in 2019 posted a surplus of €15,435 million, up 11.1% from a surplus of €13,895 million in 2018. This development was due to the stronger increase in travel receipts (up €2,093 million or 13.0%) than in travel payments (up €553 million or 25.2%). The rise in travel receipts in 2019 over 2018 was driven by an increase in average expenditure per trip by €48 or 9.9% (2019: €535, 2018: €486), as well as by a 2.8% rise in the number of non-resident inbound visitors.
Specifically, expenditure per overnight stay rose by 10.2% (2019: €77, 2018: €70), while the average length of stay stood at 7.0 nights, unchanged from 2018. The number of overnight stays increased by 2.5% to 236,547 thousand in 2019, from 230,727 thousand in 2018.
Travel receipts
Travel receipts in 2019 totalled €18,179 million, up by 13.0% compared with 2018. This development was driven by an 11.7% increase in receipts from residents of the EU28, which came to €12,295 million or 67.6% of total travel receipts, and by a 15.9% rise in receipts from residents outside the EU28 to €5,385 million.
In particular, receipts from euro area residents increased by 8.9% year-on-year to €7,732 million, while receipts from residents of non-euro area EU28 countries increased by 16.8% to €4,563 million.
Among major countries of origin, receipts from Germany edged down by 0.1% to €2,959 million, whereas receipts from France increased by 14.2% to €1,090 million. Receipts from the United Kingdom rose by 32.4% to €2,564 million. Turning to non-EU28 countries, receipts from the United States increased by 14.3% to €1,189 million, while receipts from Russia increased by 27.2% to €433 million.
Travel receipts by trip purpose
Looking at the breakdown of non-resident expenditure in Greece by trip purpose, trips for personal reasons represented the bulk of receipts in 2019, with a share of 95.1% in total expenditure, up from 94.6% in 2018, while the corresponding receipts increased by 13.6%. Within this category, leisure accounted for the largest share of total expenditure (2019: 87.3%, 2018: 85.3%), with the corresponding receipts increasing by 15.7% to €15.879 million. Trips for the purpose of visiting family, with a share of 4.4% in total expenditure, showed a decrease of 18.6% in corresponding receipts. Receipts from trips for health purposes rose by 20.2% to €59 million. Finally, receipts from business trips increased by 3.0%, but their share in total receipts declined (2019: 4.9%, 2018: 5.4%).
Inbound traveller flows
As already mentioned, the number of inbound visitors in 2019 rose by 2.8% to 34,005 thousand, from 33,072 thousand a year earlier. Specifically, visitor flows through airports increased by 1.6% and visitor flows through road border-crossing points increased by 9.0%. Visitors from within the EU28 accounted for 64.9% of the total number of visitors, while visitors from outside the EU28 accounted for 27.3%.[1] In 2019, visitors from the EU28 increased by 3.1% compared with 2018. This development is attributed to an increase in the number of visitors from the non-euro area EU28 countries (up 10.2% to 10,982 thousand), as visitors from within the euro area fell by 3.2% to 11,071 thousand. The number of visitors from non-EU28 countries rose by 6.5% to 9,295 thousand.
In particular, visitors from Germany decreased by 8.1% to 4,026 thousand, whereas visitors from France rose by 1.2% to 1,542 thousand. Visitors from the United Kingdom also increased, by 18.9% to 3,499 thousand. Finally, turning to non-EU28 countries, the number of visitors from the United States increased by 7.4% to 1,179 thousand, while the number of visitors from Russia rose by 12.1% to 583 thousand.
Overnight stays[2]
In 2019, the number of overnight stays in Greece totalled 236,547 thousand, up by 2.5% from 230,727 thousand in 2018. This reflected an increase of 10.4% in nights spent by residents of non-EU28 countries, as nights spent by residents of the EU28 declined slightly by 0.7%. The drop in overnight stays by residents of the EU28 is attributed to a 5.5% decline in nights spent by residents of the euro area, as nights spent by residents of non-euro area EU28 countries rose by 7.5%. The number of overnight stays fell by 12.4% for German residents and by 5.8% for French residents, whereas it increased by 18.0% for UK residents. Turning to non-EU28 countries, the number of overnight stays by US residents increased by 6.8%, while overnight stays by Russian residents rose by 17.9%.
Cruises
Since 2012, the Bank of Greece conducts a cruise-specific survey (“Cruise Survey”) in order to enrich the data collected through its Border Survey.[3] Following a standardised methodology, detailed cruise data for 2019 were collected at 16 Greek ports, covering 85.8% of all cruise ship arrivals in Greece.
The period under review saw 3,914 cruise ship arrivals (2018: 3,214) and 5,566 thousand cruise passenger visits (2018: 4,734 thousand). According to the Cruise Survey, 90.6% of all cruise passengers were transit visitors, with an average of 2.0 stopovers at Greek ports of call (up from 1.5 stopovers in 2018).
Total receipts from cruise passengers in 2019 rose by 14.3% year-on-year to €556 million. Of this amount, €57 million were already captured in the Border Survey data, as they represent receipts from visitors leaving the country through Greek last ports, while the remaining €499 million concern additional receipts data recorded by the Cruise Survey.
Chart 7 shows a breakdown of cruise receipts by port. The port of Piraeus ranks first with a share of 42.9% in total cruise receipts, followed by the port of Corfu with 13.5% and the port of Santorini with 10.5%. The seven most important cruise ship ports account for 89.8% of total cruise receipts and 83.1% of total cruise passenger visits.
In the period under review, total overnight stays ashore increased year-on-year by 10.1% to 5,288 thousand, with a positive impact on cruise receipts. The total number of cruise passengers fell by 9.4% to an estimated 2,771 thousand in the same period.
Balance of travel services by region[4]
As shown by the Border Survey, travel receipts (excluding cruises) in 2019 amounted to €17,680 million. Five regions accounted for the bulk (87.8%) of total receipts (Table 8), namely: the Southern Aegean (€5,175 million), Crete (€3,601 million), Attica (€2,592 million), Central Macedonia (€2,250 million) and the Ionian Islands (€1,911 million). The remaining regions (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Peloponnese, Thessaly, Epirus, Western Greece, Central Greece, the Northern Aegean and Western Macedonia) together accounted for €2,152 million.
Visits to Greece (all 13 regions combined) in 2019 totalled 36,643 thousand. The number of visits exceeds the number of inbound visitors, as travellers may visit more than one region in the course of one trip.
The six most popular regional destinations, accounting for 86.6% of total visits, were: the Southern Aegean (6,893 thousand visits), Central Macedonia (6,761 thousand), Attica (5,923 thousand), Crete (5,288 thousand), Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (3,833 thousand) and the Ionian Islands (3,048 thousand). The remaining regions (Epirus, the Peloponnese, Western Greece, Thessaly, Central Greece, the Northern Aegean and Western Macedonia) together accounted for 4,897 thousand visits.
The number of overnight stays in Greece in the period under review totalled 232.464 thousand. According to the breakdown into the 13 regions, five regions accounted for 83.9% of total overnight stays, namely: the Southern Aegean (53,169 thousand nights), Crete (43,256 thousand), Central Macedonia (40,808 thousand), Attica (34,028 thousand) and the Ionian Islands (23,744 thousand). The remaining regions (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Peloponnese, Thessaly, Western Greece, Epirus, Central Greece, the Northern Aegean and Western Macedonia) together accounted for 37,458 thousand overnight stays.
[1] The remaining 7.8% corresponds to data on cruise passenger flows other than those collected through the Border Survey (“non-BS cruise data”).
[2] It should be noted that each same-day visit, irrespective of duration, is counted as one overnight stay.
[3] Overall cruise data are thus derived from two sources:
(a) The Border Survey, which records data on cruise travellers leaving the country through a Greek point of exit (airport, road border-crossing point or sea port). In this case, the cruise data are integrated into the overall Border Survey statistics.
(b) The Cruise Survey, launched by the Bank of Greece in 2012. The survey is based on administrative data and seeks to capture the rest of cruise travellers, grouping them into: (i) travellers with a Greek home port; (ii) travellers with a Greek last port; and (iii) transit travellers stopping over at Greek ports of call.
[4] The regional figures do not include cruise data collected from sources other than the Border Survey. Therefore, they differ from aggregate data for travel services reported in the previous sections.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
- 1) Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
- 2) Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
- 3) Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
- 4) FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Athens streets reopen after private university protest rally and minor incidents
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone
Ski resort on Mt. Pelion of central Greece in full operation
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
AEGEAN concludes transfer of stake in Animawings to Memento Group
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
Foreign Ministers: Cooperation between Greece & Egypt should 'serve as an example'
Sailing from ports of Piraeus and Lavrio back to normal after high-velocity winds end
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
Holiday opening hours for shops resume in Greece on Wednesday
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion