Increased Tourists, Reduced Tourist Spending in 2007

Tourist spending appeared relatively low in Greece for 2007 when compared with 2004. According to a recent report released by the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises, the average spending of tourists per capita in 2004 was 882 euros. In 2007 this number dropped to 748 euros.

The data from the association compares the average per capita expenditure by taking into account all nationalities of visitors (except Albanians and some Bulgarians) and shows us variations of approximately 15 percent.

The association highlighted the fact that all arrivals from Albania and Bulgaria will not be included henceforth in such reports, as it has been understood that most citizens from these two countries do not visit Greece for tourism purposes but for employment opportunities.

In the meantime, according to Greece’s National Statistical Service, Greece saw an 8,5 percent increase in arrivals last year over the year before. Of these, 92,7 percent arrived from Europe, which was a 9,9 percent increase over 2006.

Of the total arrivals of 18.8 million, some 2.6 million (15 percent of the total) came from the United Kingdom, and about 2.3 million (13 percent of the total) from Germany.

Arrivals from Greece’s neighbor, Albania, totaled more that 1.8 million. Arrivals from Bulgaria topped the 1.0 million mark.