In 2024, Greek vacationers opt for extended holidays and lodging with relatives or acquaintances.
Greek Travel Rebounds in 2024: A Detailed Analysis
In 2024, Greek travel saw a significant rebound, with nearly 7 million outbound trips, marking a substantial increase compared to previous years, albeit still below pre-pandemic levels[1]. This growth was also reflected in domestic travel, although exact 2024 figures are limited in the data provided[2].
The surge in travel led to a boost in tourism spending. Inbound tourism expenditure in Greece surpassed 20 billion euros in 2024, reflecting strong international spending[2]. By mid-2025, Greece’s tourism earnings rose to about 4.35 billion euros, with a positive travel balance surplus of 3 billion euros, up from 2.76 billion euros the previous year[4].
Hotel stays saw an 8.5% increase in trips and a 4.6% rise in overnight stays compared to 2023[5]. Rented accommodation accounted for 47.6% of personal trips, with hotels and similar options being the most popular choice (60.5%)[5]. The vast majority of these trips (96.4%) were for personal reasons[5].
More than half of those staying in non-rented accommodation (53.9%) stayed for free with family or friends[5]. In 2024, 5.1 million Greek citizens took at least one trip, marking a 4% increase from 2023[5]. Only 3.6% of the trips were for business[5].
Personal trips lasting 4 to 7 nights saw a 9% increase in the number of trips and an 8.2% increase in total nights spent[5]. Air travel saw the biggest year-on-year jump, rising by 17% compared to 2023[5]. Overall travel spending rose by 7.5% to €3.7 billion[5].
Just over half of personal trips in 2024 (52.4%) were spent in non-rented accommodation[5]. Overnight stays reached 81.3 million, a 4.6% increase[5]. This group made 7.2 million trips, an increase of 4.5%[5].
In 2024, the number of personal trips taken by individuals aged 45 to 64 increased by 6.5%[5]. Within this age group, personal trips rose by 3.7%, spending increased by 4.6%, and overnight stays grew by 3.2%[3].
Sea travel accounted for 1.2 million personal trips in 2024, while land transport remained the most popular mode for personal travel with 4.7 million trips[3].
These data points collectively indicate a strong rebound and growth in both domestic and international travel in Greece for 2024, with significant increases in outbound trips, inbound spending, and overnight stays fueling tourism-related economic gains.
Sources: [1][2][4][5] [1] https://www.greece.gov.gr/en/news/articles/greek-outbound-travel-reaches-nearly-7-million-trips-in-2024 [2] https://www.greece.gov.gr/en/news/articles/greek-tourism-statistics-2024 [3] https://www.greece.gov.gr/en/news/articles/greek-tourism-statistics-age-group-45-64-2024 [4] https://www.greece.gov.gr/en/news/articles/greek-tourism-earnings-reach-435-billion-by-mid-2025 [5] https://www.greece.gov.gr/en/news/articles/greek-tourism-statistics-2024-detailed-breakdown
- The surging travel trends in Greece in 2024 extend beyond just tourism, influencing various aspects of lifestyle, with home-and-garden sectors possibly experiencing a boom due to the increased demand for holiday homes and villas.
- As people continue to travel extensively, the home-and-garden sector, as well as the travel industry, could become intertwined, with some individuals potentially seeking to merge their home and travel lifestyles by owning second homes in desirable travel destinations.
