ELSTAT: Tourist Arrivals and Overnight Stays in Greece Rise in 2015

Greece last year recorded an increase of 6.1 percent in arrivals and 3.9 percent in overnight stays in hotels, similar establishments and campsites, compared with 2014, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) announced on Tuesday.

According to the data, in 2015, arrivals and overnight stays by non-residents were up by 7.2 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively, compared with 2014. Arrivals and overnight stays of residents showed an increase of 3.7 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.

Moreover, 84.9 percent of arrivals and 92.3 percent of overnight stays were recorded during the April-October period, showing an extension of the tourism season.

By region, a significant increase of arrivals and overnight stays, in absolute values, was recorded in Central Macedonia (13.2 percent and 11.3 percent), the South Aegean (17.3 percent and 24.2 percent), Attica (20.3 percent and 10.3 percent) and the Ionian islands (7.4 percent and 10.8 percent).

In 2015, the largest share of arrivals and overnight stays, in absolute values, was recorded by guests whose country of residence is in Europe (81 percent of arrivals and 91 percent of overnight stays) with an important contribution from the EU Members States (66.3 percent and 74.3 percent).

The data showed that the largest contribution to arrivals and overnight stays was recorded from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland and Turkey.

According to ELSTAT, arrivals from Russia dropped significantly last year (-32.1 percent of arrivals and -33.2 percent of overnight stays) and increased from China (2.2 percent in arrivals and 0.7 percent in overnight stays) and the United States (5.9 percent in arrivals and 2.6 percent in overnight stays).