Greek tourism hit the gas and… brakes in 2022, as reflected by the data published by its research tool Association of Greek Tourist CompaniesINSETE, for the year 2022, which essentially was the one that restored balance to the Greek tourism economy, after the shock of the pandemic in tourist arrivals and revenues.

It is characteristic that in 2022, 3 regions, out of 13, were highlighted as champions of tourism development in Greece, which are the ones that ultimately “lift the cart” for Greek tourism. The South Aegean Region, the Region of Crete and the Region of Attica contribute 65% of the country’s tourism revenue and welcome more than half of the visitors, with all that this entails for the equal diffusion of income from one end of Greece to the other.

It is characteristic that the South Aegean Region welcomed 21% of all visits in 2022, recording a decrease of 3% compared to 2019, with tourist arrivals rising from 6.9 million to 6.7 million. In as regards the tourism receipts of the region in question in 2022, they amounted to 5.2 billion euros from 4.7 billion euros in 2019, while the average expenditure decreased by 6%, reaching 703 euros.

The flagship of Greek tourism Crete welcomed 16% of the visits recorded in the Regions of Greece in 2022, a decrease of 3% compared to 2019 (from 5.3 million to 5.1 million). As far as the tourist receipts of the region in question in 2022 are concerned, they were between 3.6 billion euros and 3.7 billion euros, reduced by 2% compared to 2019. In fact, the Average Spend increased by 5% from 681 euros to 716 euros.

For its part, the Attica Region received 18% of the visits recorded in the Regions of Greece in 2022, marking a 5% decrease compared to 2019 (from 5.9 million to 5.6 million). Attica has a 17% share of the total tourist receipts recorded in the country in 2022, showing an increase of 10% compared to 2019 (from 2.6 billion euros to 2.8 billion euros). In the meantime the Average Spend increased by 16% from 438 euros to 507 euros.

Ionian Islands and Epirus the only regions that saw an increase in arrivals compared to 2019

However, special mention should be made of the two and only regions of the country that saw an increase in arrivals in 2022 compared to 2019. Specifically, the Ionian Islands achieved a 4% increase in arrivals reaching 3.2 million visitors in 2022 and increased by 36% their receipts compared to 2019 (from 1.9 billion euros to 2.6 billion euros). In fact, the increase in the average expenditure from 627 euros to 821 euros, increased by 31%, is also impressive. As far as the Region of Epirus is concerned, it received 3% of the visits recorded in the Regions of Greece in 2022, marking an increase of 5% compared to 2019 (from 1 million to 1.1 million). Of course, the Region in question, which contributes to 2% of the country’s total tourist receipts in 2022, achieved revenues of 260 million euros, reduced by 0.4% compared to 2019.

Greece has a very high level of hotel customer satisfaction

In relation to the quality data in the accommodation sector, overall Greece has a very high level of hotel customer satisfaction, with a score of 87% in the overall satisfaction index-GRI based on the relevant reviews. Out of the 13 Regions of the country, two Regions have a score above 90%, Epirus (90.8%) and the Cyclades (90.2%), while Attica and the Ionian Islands have the comparatively lowest scores – although quite high – percentages with 85% and 84.5% respectively. The cultural wealth of the country, with ancient and modern resources, as well as the scope for further development in Greek destinations are reflected in all Regions. For example, in Greece there are 867 traditional settlements, with most located in the Cyclades (163), the Peloponnese (149), Crete (99) and the Ionian Islands (84).

On the occasion of the above, Ilias Kikilias, General Director of INSETE, underlines that “Greece has a strong tourist product with great variety and development potential and recalls that through SETE’s proposals the aim is to mitigate seasonality, to spatially expand tourism activity in areas with potential as well as increasing the Average Expenditure and length of stay of visitors”. Finally, it is recalled that in 2022 travel receipts were finally formed at 17.6 billion euros and showed an increase of 67.9% compared to 2021. For 2023, Greek tourism agencies estimate that tourist revenues will exceed 22 billion euros, highlighting last year the new milestone for Greek tourism.