By Stuart Kerr, Travel Correspondent
Published: 21/08/2025 · Updated: 21/08/2025
Contact: editorial@holidaymate.com | About the Author
Stylised digital illustration of travellers stepping off a plane into the Aegean sun, suitcase in hand, against a backdrop of whitewashed houses and blue sea, symbolising Greece’s booming summer tourism in 2025.
A Record Summer for Greece
Greece’s travel sector has roared into 2025 with a €6 billion surplus in the first half of the year, according to figures released by the Bank of Greece. The numbers mark a 9.1% rise compared with the same period in 2024, underlining the resilience of the Greek tourism economy and its critical role in the country’s broader financial stability.
What the Numbers Show
Travel receipts climbed 11% to €7.6 billion, driven by a 24% increase in travel payments and a 10.1% rise in average overnight stay spending. The balance between receipts and payments demonstrates how Greece is not only attracting more visitors but also benefiting from higher per-capita spending. For a country where tourism makes up nearly a quarter of GDP, these figures matter far beyond the beaches and resorts.
Who Is Driving the Growth
The Bank of Greece report shows that EU visitors contributed €4.1 billion, up 8.5% from last year, while non-EU arrivals surged 13.7% to €3.2 billion. Particularly strong inflows came from the UK and the US, where demand for Mediterranean travel has rebounded sharply. This builds on last year’s momentum, when Greece’s travel sector surpassed €18 billion in surplus for 2024, setting a historic benchmark.
Tourism as an Economic Lifeline
As reported by Kathimerini, these gains underscore tourism’s role as Greece’s most important export industry. From airlines and ferry operators to restaurants, hoteliers, and small guesthouse owners, the ripple effect of visitor spending touches nearly every corner of the economy. Policymakers see tourism not just as a seasonal bonus but as an essential lifeline, one that requires constant management to sustain growth without overstretching resources.
The Bigger European Context
Greece’s performance stands out even more when set against the broader European travel backdrop. Across the continent, operators are grappling with issues such as rising fuel costs, climate-driven heatwaves, and debates about tourism caps. As highlighted in Travel in 2025: Why Europe is bracing, not every country is managing the delicate balance between demand and sustainability as effectively. Greece’s results point to a combination of well-timed investment, favourable currency conditions, and strong pent-up demand.
Spending Beyond the Beach
A deeper dive into spending patterns suggests visitors are distributing their euros more widely than in previous years. Beyond the resorts and island ferries, cultural tourism and gastronomy are enjoying a surge. The rise of alternative accommodation options, such as those tracked in Beyond Airbnb: Rise of village platforms, reflects a shift toward community-based stays that channel revenue into smaller towns and rural regions. This diversification reduces reliance on overcrowded hotspots and extends the benefits of tourism deeper into the Greek economy.
Connectivity and Access
Transport has also played its part. Expanded regional air links and cross-border services are drawing more travellers into the Greek market. Improved continental access, as seen in moves like Eurostar’s direct trains to Frankfurt, demonstrates how connectivity upgrades across Europe feed into a broader travel ecosystem. For Greece, this means more visitors combining multi-destination itineraries that include Athens, the islands, and even lesser-known inland regions.
Risks Beneath the Headlines
Still, not all indicators are positive. Analysts warn that a reliance on tourism revenues leaves Greece vulnerable to external shocks—from airline strikes to geopolitical events in the eastern Mediterranean. Climate change is another looming factor: record heatwaves in southern Europe, as noted in recent environmental reports, can both encourage and deter tourists depending on how they are managed. The OECD’s 2025 study on tourism impact urges Greece to accelerate investment in sustainable infrastructure to safeguard its long-term competitiveness.
Why It Matters
For now, the numbers tell an optimistic story. Greece’s ability to post a €6 billion surplus in just six months suggests the country has not only recovered from the pandemic slump but is setting new benchmarks for growth. The implications stretch far beyond the tourist board brochures: stronger fiscal performance, healthier current account balances, and renewed investor confidence. For travellers, it signals a country that remains welcoming, resilient, and evolving—ready to provide both classic sun-and-sea holidays and new experiences in line with global trends.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr is a travel correspondent for Holidaymate.com, covering sustainable tourism, practical guides, and European trends. You can reach him at editorial@holidaymate.com. About the Author
