Greek Tourism 2024: Surge in Overnight Stays from Serbia, Turkey, and China

In 2024, Greece has recorded a 3.8% increase in tourist arrivals and a 3.9% rise in overnight stays in hotel-type accommodations, campsites, and rented rooms, compared to 2023, according to data from ELSTAT (Hellenic Statistical Authority).

Foreign arrivals and overnight stays rose by 4.2% and 4.1%, respectively, while those by domestic travelers increased by 2.8% and 2.7%.

The majority of arrivals and overnight stays occurred in hotel-type accommodations, accounting for 79.4% of arrivals and 76.4% of overnight stays. However, overall bed occupancy in hotel-type accommodations (excluding campsites and short-stay collective lodgings) fell to 50.6% in 2024 from 54.7% in 2023.

64% of Overnight Stays Take Place Between July and October
The data reflects a shift in the Greek tourism season toward October, as 56.9% of arrivals and 63.8% of overnight stays were recorded from July to October in hotel-type accommodations, campsites, and short-term collective lodgings.

Top Regions for Growth in Absolute Numbers
The largest increases in arrivals and overnight stays by region were seen in:

South Aegean: +5.6% (arrivals), +8.2% (overnight stays)

Central Macedonia: +6% and +5.9%

Ionian Islands: +5.6% and +3.9%

Attica: +3.3% and +2.7%

Crete: +1.8% and +0.6%

Over 8 in 10 Overnight Stays from Foreign Tourists
Foreign visitors made up the bulk of activity, accounting for 73.7% of all arrivals and 83.8% of overnight stays.

Among them, travelers residing in Europe dominated, with 80.4% of foreign arrivals and 89.1% of foreign overnight stays. The EU countries contributed 53.7% of arrivals and 59.2% of overnight stays.

Top countries by share:

Germany: 12.9% of arrivals, 16.3% of overnight stays

France: 6.6% and 5.8%

United Kingdom (non-EU): 16.0% of arrivals, 18.8% of overnight stays

Strongest Growth in Overnight Stays from Serbia, Turkey, and China
Among EU countries:

Italy: +7.2% arrivals, +10.7% overnight stays

Poland: +7.3% and +12.6%

Germany: +1.8% and +0.6%

From non-EU European countries:

United Kingdom: +7.6% and +3.8%

Serbia: +48.5% in arrivals and +45.1% in overnight stays

Turkey: +44.5% and +54.9%

From other continents:

China saw a notable increase with +32.3% in arrivals and +24% in overnight stays, marking a strong recovery in Asian tourism to Greece.