INSETE Study: Growing Source Markets for Greek Tourism in 2017-2019

Spain, Canada and Austria were the three source markets to Greece that recorded the highest increases in the 2017-2019 period, according to the latest report released this week by SETE Intelligence (INSETE), the research department of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

More specifically, according to INSETE findings, inbound travelers from Spain recorded a 72 percent rise in the number of arrivals, a 69 percent increase in overnight stays, and a 131 percent rise in travel receipts.

The Canadian market was up by 62 percent in arrivals, 65 percent in overnight stays, and 92 percent in spending, followed by Austria boosting arrivals by 47 percent, overnight stays by 46 percent, and revenue by 80 percent in the same period.

Completing the list of markets recording the highest increases in the two-year 2017-2019 period were the US (arrivals +36 percent, overnight stays +30 percent, receipts +46 percent), Israel (arrivals +35 percent, overnight stays +10 percent, receipts +46 percent), Bulgaria (arrivals +52 percent, overnight stays +31 percent, receipts +19 percent), Switzerland (arrivals +20 percent, overnight stays +22 percent, receipts +35 percent) and Romania (arrivals +20 percent, overnight stays +17 percent, receipts +29 percent).

INSETE analysts examined the rising tourism trends for the 2017-2019, which culminated with a new record in 2019 in all indicators: arrivals, overnight stays and travel receipts.

In the period under review:

– the number of arrivals increased by 15 percent from 27.2 million in 2017 to 31.3 million in 2019,

– the number of overnight stays rose by 11 percent, from 209.9 million in 2017 to 232.5 million in 2019,

– travel receipts increased by 24 percent, from 14.2 billion euros in 2017 to 17.7 billion euros in 2019.

In terms of markets generating demand:

– eurozone countries recorded a 12 percent rise in the number of arrivals, a 6 percent increase in overnight stays, and a 23 percent rise in revenue,

– EU countries (non-eurozone) marked a 26 percent increase in the number of arrivals, a 15 percent rise in overnight stays, and travel revenue stronger by 28 percent,

– other countries saw an 8 percent rise in the number of arrivals, overnight stays up by 14 percent, and receipts up by 24 percent.

On the downside, according to the INSETE report, markets recording declines in the 2017-2019 period were The Netherlands, Serbia and Sweden.

More specifically, the number of arrivals from the Netherlands fell by 14 percent, overnight stays by 11 percent, and spending by 17 percent. The number of arrivals from Serbia dropped by 5 percent, overnight stays by 10 percent, and revenue by 6 percent; and Sweden arrivals declined by 16 percent, overnight stays by 15 percent and travel receipts by 5 percent.

Other markets slowing down were North Macedonia (arrivals -40 percent, overnight stays -45 percent, revenue -36 percent).

Additionally, Russia recorded a minor 1 percent decline in arrivals as did Norway down by 10 percent. Germany (-1 percent) and Norway (-15 percent) saw the number of overnight stays drop, while receipts fell from the Australian market by 6 percent.

INSETE analysts note that Balkan countries recorded higher arrival numbers but lower overnight and spending while travelers form long-haul markets like the US, Canada and Australia made more overnight stays and spent more.