Zakynthos, Greece: Increase In Foreign Tourist Arrivals In First Half Of 2014

Blue Caves, Zakynthos. Photo © Facebook – ΟΙ ΟΜΟΡΦΙΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΜΑΣ

Foreign tourist arrivals to the Greek island of Zakynthos in the first half of the year were up by 20 percent, according to airport data released recently by the president of the Laganas Hotel Association, Christina Tetradi.

In the first six months of the year, the island welcomed a total of 182,210 visitors by air as 29,596 more tourists from abroad arrived compared with the same period in 2013. In June alone, Zakynthos welcomed 18,868 more foreign visitors than last year, an increase of 19.75 percent.

During the January-June period, arrivals from the United Kingdom to Zakynthos increased by 14.61 percent. From Central European countries, Zakynthos saw an increase in arrivals from the Netherlands (48.25 percent), Austria (16.24 percent), Switzerland (13.08 percent) and Belgium (10.73 percent).

Arrivals from Germany during the first six months of the year showed a slight drop of 3.42 percent.

In regards to arrivals from Eastern markets, visitor numbers to the island from Russia were down by 8.55 percent, which was balanced out by the large increase of tourists from Belarus (204.68 percent).

The number of foreign tourists coming from Romania, Hungary and Poland also increased significantly, as arrivals were up by 114.48 percent, 80.48 percent and 45.24 percent, respectively.

In regards to visitor numbers from the Balkan countries, Zakynthos enjoyed a 146.62 percent increase from Bulgaria and a 31.64 percent increase from Serbia.

Tourist arrivals from Italy during the first six months of the year jumped by 1424.62 percent, as charter flights were launched from the country to Zakynthos in June.

In addition, the data also revealed that Zakynthos saw an increase of both Greek and foreign passengers flying from Athens Airport.