Greek Tourism Revenue Still Down in April But Higher than 2020

One month before Greece re-opened to tourists, travel receipts reached a mere 43 million euros in April 2021, generated by 107,000 travelers who managed to reach Greek shores in the midst of Covid-19 lockdowns and measures, according to data released this week by the Bank of Greece.

April 2021 travel receipts were higher by 211.0 percent compared to April 2020 and 14 million euros a month after Covid-19 hit the world. However, April 2021 travel receipts decreased compared to 543.6 million euros in 2019. 

The number of inbound travelers in April 2021 was also down this year compared to 2019 but increased by 185.6 percent compared to the same month in 2020. At the same time, spending rose by 8.9 percent. 

Central Bank data reveals that top source markets for April were Germany, accounting for 8 million euros in revenues, and France for 2 million euros.

Non-EU markets showing activity to Greece in April include the UK, travelers from which generated 1 million euros in receipts, and the US with 1 million euros.

Spending by Russian travelers also increased in April but was still below the 1-million-euro mark.

According to the same data, over the first four months of the year, travel-related revenue dropped by 79.3 percent against April 2020 to 126 million euros. In the same period, the number of incoming travelers decreased by 79.7 percent to 378,000 travelers compared to 1,866 thousand in 2020: broken down airport traffic fell by 82.9 percent and road arrivals by 81.0 percent.

In the January-April 2021 period, EU traveler spending dropped by 72.5 percent to 66 million euros and non-EU receipts declined by 83.6 percent to 60 million euros, the Bank of Greece said.

Greece lifted travel restrictions and opened to tourists on May 14.