Drop in Arrivals Slows in July

The number of foreign tourists that arrived at Greek airports fell to eight percent in the January-July period down from 9.6 percent recorded during the first six months of the year, according to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises.

According to the association’s general manager, Yiorgos Drakopoulos, although the seven-month figure marked a slight improvement in arrivals to Greece, “this is only one parameter that estimates the effective performance of tourism.”

He reminded that all figures of arrivals, overnights and revenue are essential for a comprehensive view of Greece’s tourism development.

As for tourism revenue for the January-July period the association said that the Bank of Greece would announce them in late September. It is reminded that during the January-May 2009 period revenue fell by 18.9 percent against the year before.

Meanwhile, the Research Institute for Tourism and Forecasts (ITEP) recently presented data that showed an 8.6 percent drop in foreign arrivals to Greek airports during the first seven months of the year.

ITEP said that a 7.6 percent increase in visitor arrivals to Athens partially offset the sharp drops in key areas such as Kefallonia and Crete. According to the institute, it’s possible that the drop in 2009 international arrivals would not turn out a double-digit figure after all.