Greece Expects To Welcome 1 Million Turkish Tourists This Year

Photo: GTP

For the first time in history, around one million Turkish tourists are expected to visit Greece this year.

According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the rapid growth of Turkish visitors to Greece began last season and is continuing in 2014 with the same momentum. It has been estimated that the increase in visitors from Turkey to Greece represents an almost 50 percent increase from the number of visits made by Turks to the country in 2011.

In 2013, Greece received 831,113 arrivals from Turkey, which is an increase of 38 percent compared to 2012. The largest increase (50.3 percent) occurred at the border of the Gardens in Evros. Overall more than half a million visitors from Turkey crossed the border.

The president of the Lesvos Hoteliers Association, Pericles Antoniou, told Kathimerini that this year he expects 70,000 to 80,000 arrivals from Turkey to the island, an increase of 100 percent over last year.

Visitors from Turkey usually stay for a minimum of two nights on Lesvos. According to Mr. Antoniou, on average, a Turkish couple will usually spend 50 euros for accommodation and 80 euros for food in one day.

In regards to shopping, a Turkish couple will spend anywhere from 50 to 500 euros. Mr. Antoniou added that there has been cases when purchases of Turkish guests reached the amount of 3,000 euros.