Greece Draws 27 Million Foreign Tourists in 2024 as Demand Shifts Beyond Summer Peak
Updated
Updated · tornosnews.gr · Jun 11
Greece Draws 27 Million Foreign Tourists in 2024 as Demand Shifts Beyond Summer Peak
3 articles · Updated · tornosnews.gr · Jun 11
Summary
27,048,172 foreign arrivals reached Greece’s accommodation sector in 2024, extending tourism growth but at a slower pace than the double-digit regional gains seen in 2023.
IOBE data showed the seasonal pattern easing: the July-September share of visits fell about 4 percentage points versus the 2016-2023 average, while the second quarter gained as travelers moved into shoulder months.
South Aegean led foreign arrivals with 7.4 million, ahead of Crete at 5.77 million and Attica at 4.14 million; Crete’s foreign growth slowed to 1.6%, while Central Macedonia rose 7.5%.
Regional splits widened as Ionian Islands posted the strongest domestic tourism growth at 9.7%, North Aegean logged a second straight 17.5% rise in foreign visitors, and Epirus suffered a second consecutive foreign decline at 7%.
Rental accommodation took about 22% of foreign overnight stays and 25% of domestic stays nationally, underscoring a more diversified tourism model as Greece pushes to lengthen the season.