In 2024, American tourists have emerged as the top spenders in Greece, contributing to a record year for Greek tourism revenues and arrivals.
Tourism revenues for the period from January to October reached 20.93 billion euros, surpassing 2023’s total by 341 million euros.
A notable highlight is the significant increase in revenues during the off-season, with a 40% rise in the first quarter and a 19.7% increase in October. This growth brings Greece closer to its goal of extending the tourist season beyond the summer months.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni praised the data, calling 2024 a new benchmark year for Greece’s tourism sector. She expects revenues to reach as much as 22 billion euros. She emphasized that tourism's strong performance boosts income and employment and provides critical support to other sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.
American tourists spent an average of 1,034 euros each, totalling approximately 1.41 billion euros, a 10% increase from 2023. The number of American visitors rose 7.9%, with 1.37 million Americans visiting Greece.
Despite their smaller numbers, Russian tourists exhibited high spending habits. Around 15,000 Russian visitors spent an average of 1,000 euros each, contributing 15.2 million euros to Greece’s tourism revenue. Before the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Russia accounted for over 600,000 visitors annually, highlighting the economic impact of their reduced presence.
Other nationalities also contributed significantly to Greece’s tourism income. British tourists spent an average of 731 euros, with 4.39 million British visitors spending a total of 3.21 billion euros—down by 1.3% from last year. Germans, the largest group of visitors, spent 691 euros per person and contributed the most overall, with 5.22 million Germans visiting—a 14.9% increase from the previous year.
French visitors ranked next, spending an average of 659 euros each, for a total expenditure of 1.26 billion euros, reflecting a 10% decrease from last year. However, French arrivals increased by 7.3%, with around 1.92 million French tourists visiting Greece from January to October.
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