ELSTAT: Welcome Rise in 2021 Arrivals, Stays at Greek Campsites, Hotels

Campsites and hotels in Greece welcomed an increase in the number of arrivals and nights spent in 2021, according to final data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

More specifically, arrivals were up by 78.3 percent and overnight stays by 92.0 percent at all accommodation facilities under investigation, including short-stay establishments (rooms to let) in 2021 compared with 2020.

International arrivals increased by 125.3 percent and overnight stays by 124.9 percent compared to 2020, while domestic arrivals grew by 22.4 percent and nights spent by 21.9 percent.

Top destinations of choice were Northern Greece, Central Greece, Attica Region, Crete and the Aegean islands with key source markets Romania, Germany and Bulgaria (Northern Greece); Germany, UK and France (Central Greece); US, France and Germany (Attica); and Germany, France, and UK (Crete and the Aegean islands).

Arrivals and nights spent, 2021, in hotels and similar establishments. Source: ELSTAT

Arrivals and nights spent, 2021, in tourist campsites. Source: ELSTAT

Annual occupancy in terms of beds at hotels and similar establishments (excluding campsites) came to 42.9 percent in 2021 compared to 29.6 percent in 2020.

Last year, hotels accounted for the largest share of arrivals and overnight stays at 81.0 percent and 79.0 percent, respectively.

In the meantime, 75.5 percent of all arrivals and 81.4 percent of total nights spent at Greek accommodation facilities and campsites were made between July and October.

South Aegean Region and Crete see largest rise

Crete, Greece.

The South Aegean Region marked the largest increase in arrivals by 101.2 percent and nights spent by 97.2 percent, followed by Crete (111.4 percent arrivals and 120.8 percent overnights), Attica (67.0 percent arrivals and 61.6 percent nights spent), and Central Macedonia (81.6 percent arrivals and 130.0 percent nights spent).

In 2021, international visitors accounted for the largest share of arrivals (68.6 percent) and nights spent (79.7 percent) at Greek hotels and similar establishments and campsites, while Europeans accounted for 89.3 percent of those arrivals and 93.7 percent of nights spent.

Arrivals in hotels and campsites by country of residence

With regard to EU countries, travelers to Greece from Germany accounted for 20.1 percent of arrivals and 24.1 percent of nights spent and from France 10.3 percent arrivals and 8.6 percent nights spent. The UK led the way for other European countries (not in EU) accounting for 9.3 percent of arrivals to Greece.