Greek Hotels, Campsites See Double-digit Rise in Arrivals, Stays in 2023 – Final Data

Photo source: Visit Greece

Hotels and campsites in Greece welcomed a double-digit increase in the number of arrivals and nights spent in 2023, according to final data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

According to the authority’s survey results, arrivals (Table 1) and nights spent (Table 2) in hotels, campsites, and short-stay accommodations (rooms to let) in 2023 increased by 13.9 percent and 10.9 percent, respectively, compared to 2022.

Source: ELSTAT

More specifically, in 2023 compared with 2022, an increase of 13.7 percent and 10.4 percent was recorded in arrivals and nights spent by non-residents (foreign arrivals), respectively. Arrivals and nights spent by residents (domestic tourists) recorded an increase of 14.4 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.

Top regions of choice were Northern Greece, Central Greece, Attica, Crete and the South Aegean.

Key source markets for arrivals and nights spent in hotels in Northern Greece included Romania, Germany and UK; in Central Greece included Germany, UK and US; in Attica included US, France and UK; and on Crete and the Aegean islands included Germany, France, and UK.

Arrivals and nights spent, 2023, in hotels and similar establishments. Source: ELSTAT

Key source markets for arrivals and nights spent in tourist campsites in northern Greece included Bulgaria, Germany and Romania; in Central Greece included Germany, France and Italy; in Attica included Germany, Italy and The Netherlands; and on Crete and the Aegean islands included Australia, the US and France.

Arrivals and nights spent, 2023, in tourist campsites. Source: ELSTAT

Largest share of arrivals, overnight stays were in hotels

During 2023, the largest share of arrivals and nights spent (Graph 3) is observed in hotel accommodation establishments (79.6 percent and 76.4 percent, respectively).

Annual occupancy in terms of beds at hotels (excluding campsites and rooms to let) came to 54.7 percent in 2023, compared with 51.1 percent in 2022.

International visitors: largest share of arrivals, nights in 2023

In 2023, international visitors accounted for the largest share of arrivals (73.4 percent) and nights spent (83.6 percent) at Greek hotels and similar establishments and campsites (Graph 4). Europeans accounted for 79.5 percent of those arrivals and 88.4 percent of nights spent.

Most arrivals, nights in July to October

According to the monthly distribution of the data, 56.9 percent of the arrivals and 63.7 percent of the nights spent in Greek hotels, campsites and rooms to let, are recorded during the period of July to October (Tables 1 and 2 seen above).

As regards to the breakdown of the survey data by Greece’s regions, an increase of arrivals is observed in arrivals and nights spent, in absolute values, in Attica (19.7 percent in arrivals and 20.3 percent in nights spent), South Aegean (12.1 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively), Ionian Islands (19.6 percent and 19.7 percent respectively) and Crete (7.2 percent both in arrivals and in nights spent).

Arrivals in hotels and campsites by country of residence

With regard to EU countries, travelers to Greece from Germany accounted for 13.2 percent of arrivals and 16.9 percent of nights spent and from France 7.2 percent arrivals and 6.3 percent nights spent. As regards the rest of the European countries (not in EU), the greatest contribution is recorded for the United Kingdom (15.5 percent of arrivals and 18.8 percent of nights spent).

Moreover, according to ELSTAT’s data, Greek hotels, campsites and rooms to let recorded a significant increase in arrivals, in absolute values, from the United States (32 percent rise in arrivals and 32.3 percent increase in overnight stays). Travelers to Greece from the US in 2023 accounted for 9.1 percent of arrivals and 4.9 percent of nights spent.