Greek citizens almost universally recognize the importance of tourism to the Greek economy. However, as well as foreign visitors are increasing and much of the investment activity is concentrated in the sector, either in new hotels or in in new holiday homes or in short-term rental complexes, there are growing concerns about both the impact on the environment and the impact on the character of the destinations. In addition, there is growing concern that holidays are becoming increasingly unaffordable for Greeks.
Here are some of his main conclusions third major national survey conducted by Pulse on behalf of its initiative “Every day”, Reimagining tourism in Greece. The Reimagine Tourism initiative was officially launched last year and will hold a major launch this year in October because it aims to strengthen dialogue between all stakeholders, the State, local authorities and businesses, in order to highlight a new model for the tourism which will improve economic benefits for the country, while protecting the environment and the character of its destinations.
As this is the third “wave” of the now regular survey, comparing the responses with the previous ones completes and confirms the picture, he explains in “Every day” its general manager Pulse RC, George Arapoglou. Once again, almost nine out of ten participants (87%) describe tourism as “fairly important to very important” for the Greek economy.
Confidence in one’s choices is also maintained countries for the future of tourism: More than half (54%) believe they are going “in the right direction”, with the vast majority stressing that improvements are needed.
One more a growing trend is the preference of more Greeks for “fewer foreign tourists with better financial comfort” (45% against 42% in last year’s survey), than for “more tourists regardless of their financial comfort” (20% against 23%).
“The specific research questions that accompany it allow us to better understand how we perceive the future, the benefits but also the consequences of the main source of income of our country,” comments the head of Pulse RC. And in this research, concerns and reservations emerge. Moreover, the comparison with the results of the previous one allows to distinguish which concerns have intensified. First of all There remains respect for the environment and the effects that ever-increasing tourist flows and their management have on it. Negative responses (60%) expressed the greatest concern as early as June 2023. This year, with 64%, they also recorded the highest increase (+4%).
According to with the Pulse survey, oI the Greeks believe that the development of tourism in the country rather does not respect the environment at a rate of 40% and certainly not at a rate of 24%. In other words, more than 6 out of 10 people (64%) consider that its effect is negative. Only 30% believe that they definitely (5%) or probably (25%) comply with it.
Passing by Now to the question of short term rentals and their effects on the urban and social fabric of Athens, where the phenomenon is particularly pronounced, 61% of respondents declares himself worried (from 35% certainly to 26% probably). The percentage of those affected is 69%. among respondents living in the Attica region.
THE However, 34% say they are probably (23%) or definitely (11%) not worried. “This is reflected, once again, in the very positive treatment of tourism and in the recognition of its great importance for our country, without missing a critical look. and emphasizing the sides that require attention or raise concerns – all with slightly improved rates, in this survey,” comments Pulse RC CEO, Georges Arapoglou“The above confirms the interest and desire of the Greeks for an even better solution, with fewer negative points and higher benefits – financial and otherwise,” he adds.
New record in 2024
This year, foreign tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 10% compared to last year and travel receipts by about 5%. This is the composite of market estimates. Saccording to the final figures from the Bank of Greece, Inbound traffic in 2023 increased by 20.8% to 36.082 million travelers. A 10% increase in arrivals as projected translates to 39.7 million visitors, far from the psychological limit of 40 million. That is about four times the country’s population.
THE travel receipts in 2023 stands at €20.593 billion, up 16.5% from 2022. The increase in travel revenue is the result of a 20.8% increase in inbound non-resident travellers, as well as an average spend per night of €6.9 or 8.6% (2023: €87.2, 2022: €80.3). However, a decrease of 3.5% showed the average expenditure per trip (2023: 570.7 euros, 2022: 591.7 euros), as the average length of stay also decreased, which decreased by 11.2% and stands at 6.5 nights (2022: 7.4 nights).
The increase in revenue therefore comes from the greater number of overnight stays they recorded. 7.3% increase and amounted to 236,271.2 (2022: 220,213.1), combined with the increase in daily expenditure per capita.
However, these visitors and the spending they make in the country (it should be noted that the above figures do not include spending on tourist transportation costs, such as airfare) are not shared equally across all destinations in the territory or in all months of the year.
As shown by what is published by Bank of GreeceThe bulk of the collections, or 90.5% of the total, took place last year in five regions: South Aegean region (5.340 billion), Region of Crete (5,196.3 billion euros), Region of Attica (3.787 billion), Region of the Ionian Islands (2.039 billion) and Region of Central Macedonia (1.515 billion).
For the regions that attract the largest tourist flows and especially the destinations located there, a whole series of problems are identified by the latest report of Mediator.
In particular, in the report of the independent authority entitled “Sustainable tourism development: framework, infrastructure, resources“listed as key issues,” the failure to complete the land use planning framework and exceeding the capacity limits, intensive construction and degradation of public space, effective protection of cultural heritage, the deficient protection framework of protected areas and the landscape, the ever-increasing pressure on the coastal zone, the risk of exhaustion or degradation of water resources, poor waste management and the challenges of developing the road network and, in general, communication and transport infrastructure.”