Twelve Greek Islands Expecting Full Occupancy in August

Astypalaia, Greece.

All the more travelers are choosing to visit lesser-known Greek islands hoping to save money and avoid the crowds.

Twelve Greek islands are expecting occupancy levels to reach 100 percent and in many cases exceed pre-pandemic 2019 figures. It should be noted that traditionally, the majority of Greeks living in urban centers go on holiday in August.

In an interview to ANA-MPA, Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (fedHATTA) President Lysandros Tsilidis said the industry is expected to cover lost ground in August following the heatwaves and fires last month on Rhodes and Corfu.

Lipsi, Greece.

According to travel agents, vacationers this year prefer off-the-beaten-track islands that can offer sustainable options like Lipsi and Astypalaia. At the same time, in view of increasing ferry rates, many prefer to travel by plane.

The 12 Greek islands winning travelers over this August, according to tourism stakeholders, are Lipsi, Samos, Lesvos, Ios, Skopelos, Astypalea, Andros, Kalymnos, Sifnos, Karpathos, Paros, and Naxos.

Tourism professionals on most of the islands above are confirming pre-bookings and traveler interest into September and October.

Karlovasi, Samos. Photo source: Visit Greece / D. Rozaki.

In the meantime, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister (former tourism minister) Vassilis Kikilias told public television that tourism figures “were and continue to be very strong”. Referring to destinations faced with challenges in the previous years, such as Northern Evia and Samos, government policies and incentives helped revive tourist interest, he said.

Indicatively, this year, 10 percent of the vouchers subsidizing holidays for lower income Greeks and their families in July under the annual “Tourism for All” program concerned holidays on Evia.