The year 2017 is shaping up to be the best-ever for Greece’s biggest revenue-driver, possibly to break the 30 million visitor barrier for tourism, bringing in critical cash during an ongoing economic crisis.
Tourism accounts for as much as 18 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 174.6 billion euros ($195.2 billion) or about 31.428 billion euros ($35.1 billion) even though the 2016 hordes spent far less per capita than expected.
Bank of Greece data show that in the first four months of the year travel receipts increased by 2.4 percent or 23 million euros ($25.69 billiion) year-on-year, reaching 997 million euros ($1.136 billion) thanks to a 3.2 percent rise in arrivals and not average spending per trip, which posted a 0.8 percent decline, Kathimerini said.
This means the 4.8 percent drop in travel receipts during the first quarter was offset in April, when arrivals rose 12 percent and receipts 11.3 percent annually with all signs showing that May continued the positive trend.
Addressing a conference organized by the Panhellenic Exporters Federation, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said that the data of the first five months point to an increase in arrivals, revenues, nights stayed and occupancy rates.
They also show an increase in bookings for the summer ranging between 15 and 70 percent, depending on area, and she said she expects a two million increase in visitors over last year.
According to the Minister, the Greek tourism sector is moving with a growth rate of 7 percent, double the international average at 3-4 percent and has managed to extend the tourism season, open up to new markets with particular attention to higher-income travelers, promote lesser known destinations, tap into thematic tourism as well as launch direct air connections with many destinations.
Season hiring has also helped cut into the country’s unemployment rate which is still above 23 percent with data showing that in May 70 percent of the new jobs were in tourism.
The number of unemployed registered with the Manpower Organization (OAED) last month dropped by 56,820 people from April to 913,518, mainly thanks to the rise in seasonal employment in tourism and commerce.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Mstyslav Chernov License: CC-BY-SA
Source: thenationalherald.com
