Athens Riviera Investments Driving Growth in Greece

Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Managing Director Elly Andriopoulou, Athens-Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association Evgenios Vassilikos, One&Only Aesthesis General Manager Yann Gillet, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) Executive Director Alexandros Thanos.

Investments in real estate along the Athenian Riviera are expected to drive tourism to Athens and the wider Attica region, according to data presented during the Athens Riviera Forum 2024 held at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel earlier this month.

Speaking at the event, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) Executive Director Alexandros Thanos said nights spent at hotels in Athens increased by 26 percent in 2023 over 2022 pushing revenues up by 30 percent.

This upward trend, said Thanos, is set to make Athens the most dynamic region in Greece and the Athens Riviera is expected to play an important part in this expansion. Athens is no longer just a city break, but a destination to be explored, said Thanos.

Athenian Riviera. Photo source: Greece Sotheby’s International Realty.

Also speaking during the event, Athens-Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association Evgenios Vassilikos said the upgrade of hotels along the Athenian Riviera placed Athens on the world tourism map but he went on to add that infrastructure and resources management systems must be improved.

On her part, Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti referred to ministry efforts to extend the tourism season as well as actions designed to ensure the Greek tourism product remains competitive.

Among others, Rapti said 21.7 million euros had been secured for the further development of health and wellness tourism, 8.1 million euros for diving tourism, 10 million euros for gastronomy and agritourism products, 59.4 million euros for mountain and ski tourism, and funds will also be channeled into new religious and sports tourism offerings.