Domestic Tourism Down In 2010

Customer arrivals decreased by 2.6 percent and overnights fell by 2.1 percent at hotels and campsites during the January-September 2010 period, compared with the year before, according to recently released figures of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

ELSTAT said the reduction was due to a 7.9 percent decrease in domestic tourists and a 10.6 percent reduction in overnight stays by Greek visitors.

In regards to the non-resident market, customer arrivals were up by 1.8 percent and overnights by 0.9 percent.

Hotel occupancy last year also saw an increase to 55.3 percent from 54.8 percent in 2009.

In addition, Euromonitor estimated that Greek tourism receipts in 2010 were 9.4 billion euros ($13 billion) down from 10.6 billion euros ($14.8 billion) in 2009, which had dropped from 12.5 billion euros ($17.4 billion) in 2008.