Karpathos Sees Popularity Surge, Attracts Over 30,000 Visitors in July

Olympia village, Karpathos.

The Greek island of Karpathos in July welcomed a total of 31,738 visitors, maintaining last year’s levels, according to official data from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).

Italians were the largest group of tourists visiting the island, accounting for 23.88 percent of visitors. Greeks, Dutch, and Austrians followed, with significant numbers also coming from Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, as well as from Israel and Germany.

According to the Municipality of Karpathos, the surge in visitors comes as a result of concerted promotional efforts. The municipality, the second-largest island in the Dodecanese, has been actively working with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) to enhance its visibility as a preferred destination.

Since the beginning of the year, Karpathos has been promoted across several countries, including the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and Austria. The island also featured prominently at the international tourism fair, ITB Berlin 2024.

The island’s unique traditions and authenticity have garnered attention, with over 370 articles published about Karpathos in both Greek and international media since the start of the year. Notably, Karpathos was listed by the UK’s Times as one of Greece’s top destinations for its excellent beaches.

Currently, Karpathos is being highlighted in a promotional campaign through Volotea, an international airline, which includes a newsletter to 250,000 of its customers. Additionally, a prominent Czech blogger and influencer, known for focusing on quality tourism, pristine nature, and outdoor activities, is visiting the island.

Looking ahead, a further promotional campaign is planned through Sky Express’ “FLY” magazine, which will feature a QR code providing additional information. The campaign will focus on alternative and sustainable tourism activities such as rock climbing, hiking, scuba diving, and windsurfing, while also highlighting Karpathos’s rich cultural heritage.