ELSTAT: Greeks Boost Domestic Travel and Expenditure in 2023

The number of Greek residents, regardless of age, who took at least one domestic trip in 2023 totaled 4.9 million, according to new figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), released on Wednesday. This represents an increase of 1.7 percent compared to the previous year.

ELSTAT’s survey on the “Qualitative Characteristics of Resident Tourists” also reported a 0.6 percent rise in the number of domestic trips in 2023, totaling 8.3 million.

Greeks spend more on travel in 2023

The total number of nights spent by resident tourists of any age on these trips in 2023 was 77.8 million, a decrease of 2.2 percent. However, the total expenditure associated with these trips amounted to 3,446.8 million euros, marking a 3.6 percent increase over 2022 (3,328 million).

According to the survey results, the number of residents aged 15 and over who took at least one trip in 2023 was 4.1 million, marking a 2.4 percent increase. The total number of trips taken by these residents was 6.9 million, reflecting a marginal decrease of 0.2 percent compared to 2022.

In 2023, the total number of nights spent by residents aged 15 and over was 66.0 million, with a decrease of 3.8 percent, while the related expenditure amounted to 3,182.7 million euros, representing a 2.8 percent increase compared to 2022.

Regarding the purpose of these trips, 96.6 percent were for personal reasons (such as leisure, recreation, holidays, visiting friends and relatives, or other personal reasons), while only 3.4 percent were for business purposes.

Reasons Greeks stayed home last year

Just as important as the reasons driving Greeks to travel domestically are the reasons that kept them at home.

According to the data, 55.1 percent of respondents cited financial reasons as their primary factor for not traveling domestically last year. Additionally, 21.2 percent attributed their lack of travel to health reasons or reduced mobility, while 17.3 percent simply preferred to stay home.

Moreover, most of the personal trips last year were made by a land means of transport (4.7 million trips) and secondly by sea (1.0 million trips). When comparing the 2023 data with the corresponding 2022 data, the largest increase, in absolute values, is observed in the number of trips made by land means of transport, by 5.8 percent.

It is also worth noting that Greeks spent more time in their own holiday homes or staying with friends and family during their domestic trips. This preference was higher compared to those who rented rooms or properties in locations other than their usual place of residence.

The Survey on Qualitative Characteristics of Residents Tourists is conducted in all EU Member States. The purpose of the survey is to collect data on the characteristics of resident tourists, tourist expenditure and contribution of several socio-demographic groups in tourism and their behavior, with the aim of drawing national and European policy in the tourism sector.