Greece Sees Int’l Arrivals Growing In Half-Year 2013

International arrivals to Greece increased by 9.5 percent in the first half of 2013 compared with the same period last year, according to data released by the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE).

Specifically, 4.35 million tourists from abroad arrived at Greek airports during the January-June period, compared with 3.97 million international arrivals in the same period last year.

In June alone, international arrivals increased 14.6 percent compared with the same month in 2012 and amounted to 1.96 million from 1.71 million.

The Greek airports that attracted the most tourists during the first half of the year were those on Santorini (27.5 percent increase), Kefalonia (22.5 percent), Chania (21.8 percent), Zakynthos (19.6 percent), Heraklion (18.6 percent) and Kos (18.1 percent).

Athens International Airport recorded a drop of 1.29 percent during the first six months of the year but in June alone showed a 9.6 percent rise.