Greek Tourism on Record-Breaking Path in 2025 with 1.2 Million More Air Arrivals

8 November, 25

According to the latest monthly report from INSETE, the Research Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Greece’s tourism industry is on track for a historic record in 2025. Visitor arrivals, tourism revenue, and the short-term rental market have all reached new highs, confirming Greece’s position as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations.

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Surge in International Air Arrivals: 1.2 Million More Travelers

From January to September 2025, Greece welcomed 23.8 million international air arrivals, an increase of 1.2 million visitors or +5.5% year-on-year. Growth was steady throughout the year:

Q1: +4.8%
Q2: +5.9%, reaching its summer peak

During the July–September high season, 13.5 million international travelers arrived at Greek destinations — 680,000 more than in 2024 (+5.3%). August set a new all-time record, with arrivals up 6.2% year-on-year.

Athens International Airport (AIA) led the way, welcoming 7 million passengers (+9.6%)
Thessaloniki Airport followed with 2.1 million (+10%)
Kalamata and Araxos airports in the Peloponnese also saw double-digit growth (+11%)

Strong Growth Across Most Island Regions:

Crete: 5 million arrivals (+4.6%)
Dodecanese Islands: 4.1 million (+2.2%)
Ionian Islands: 3.7 million (+4.7%)
Cyclades: –6.4%, mainly due to a sharp decline in Santorini (–12.8%), although Mykonos maintained slight growth (+2.4%)

Tourism Revenue Surpasses €16.7 Billion

Between January and August 2025, tourism revenue reached €16.7 billion, up 12% year-on-year. Growth was driven by both EU visitors (+9.4%) and a surge in non-EU spending (+14.9%).

Key source markets:

Germany: €2.64 billion (+6.6%)
France: €1.02 billion (+5.5%)
Italy: €984 million (+1.4%)
United Kingdom: €2.48 billion (+8.7%)
United States: €1.17 billion (+20.6%)

The data reveals robust transatlantic travel demand and sustained spending across all major European markets.

Short-Term Rental Market Hits New Record

Greece’s short-term rental market (including platforms like Airbnb) also continued its upward trajectory, marking its third consecutive record-breaking quarter.

In August 2025, available rental listings reached 247,000 units, up by 14,000 year-on-year, while total bed capacity exceeded 1 million throughout the summer.

This trend confirms that short-term rentals are becoming a vital complement to Greece’s hotel sector, offering travelers a wider range of accommodation options and supporting local economies.

A Milestone Year for Greek Tourism

INSETE concludes that 2025 will be a landmark year for Greek tourism.

With record-breaking arrivals and revenue, alongside the expansion of alternative accommodation markets, Greece’s tourism sector is entering a new phase of sustainable, high-value growth — continuing to attract global travelers and international investors alike.

Cre: Greek Travel Pages