• Germany has surpassed the US, UK, France, and Italy to become the leading outbound market for Greece’s international air arrivals in 2025.
• International air arrivals to Greece rose by 5.5% year-on-year between January and September 2025, reaching a total of 23.8 million visitors.
• Key growth centers include Athens and Thessaloniki, while island growth is mixed, with Crete increasing, but the Cyclades region, specifically Santorini, experiencing a decline in overall arrivals.
• Tourism revenue reached €16.7 billion, a 12% increase, fueled by German tourists who contributed the highest absolute spending, and US tourists who showed the highest percentage growth in spending.

Greece’s tourism sector is experiencing a significant shift in 2025, with Germany surpassing the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy to become the leading contributor to international air arrivals. This surge, fueled by strong air connectivity and competitive travel pricing, is propelling Greece toward record-breaking tourism figures, including an overall 5.5% year-on-year increase in international air arrivals, totaling 23.8 million visitors between January and September.

Key destinations like the capital, Athens, and the second-largest city, Thessaloniki, are central to this boom. Athens International Airport (AIA) recorded a 9.6% rise in passenger traffic, reflecting the city’s enduring appeal with its ancient sites and growing modern cultural scenes. Thessaloniki also saw robust growth with a 10% increase in arrivals, establishing itself as a popular alternative.

Greece’s islands remain vital, although results are mixed. Crete, the largest island, saw a 4.6% increase in arrivals. The Ionian Islands experienced an impressive 4.7% growth, and the Dodecanese Islands grew by 2.2%. However, the Cyclades region, which includes popular spots like Santorini and Mykonos, saw an overall slight dip of 6.4%, with Santorini noting a 12.8% decline, possibly due to over-tourism concerns. Despite this, Mykonos saw a modest 2.4% increase.

Accompanying the high air arrival numbers is a booming short-term rental market, which recorded its third consecutive record-breaking quarter, offering over one million bed spaces during the summer months. Furthermore, tourism revenue reached new heights, amounting to €16.7 billion between January and August, a 12% year-on-year increase. German tourists were the top spenders, contributing €2.64 billion, while US tourists showed the highest growth rate in spending at 20.6%. Greece is focusing on managing this growth sustainably to preserve its cultural heritage and benefit local economies.