Greece Sees Record Tourism Growth: 38% More Visitors, 64% Revenue Surge

Greece is celebrating a record-breaking start to 2026, with tourism figures showing a dramatic increase in both visitor numbers and revenue. In the first quarter, the country welcomed 38.3% more foreign tourists compared to the same period last year. This influx translated into a substantial 64.3% year-on-year rise in tourism revenue, which reached 1.676 billion euros. The Bank of Greece's analysis indicates that the balance of services in tourism achieved a surplus of 928.4 million euros, a significant jump from 352.6 million euros in the previous year. This growth is attributed not only to the higher volume of visitors but also to increased spending by tourists, with the average travel cost rising by 13.8% in March and 19.9% over the quarter. Notably, visitors from Italy showed a marked increase in spending, leaving 66.5% more money in Greece. Significant revenue growth was also observed from the UK market, with British tourists spending 213.3 million euros in the first quarter. While arrivals from the US saw a slight decrease, their spending increased. The data also highlights a substantial rise in land border crossings, up 84.3%, compared to an 18.8% increase in air travel. Experts view these strong first-quarter results as a positive sign for a potentially record-breaking summer season, reinforcing Greece's position as a leading Mediterranean destination.

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Greece is experiencing a record increase in tourism. 38 percent more guests.