The picture of this year’s tourist season in Halkidiki is raising concerns, according to results from the two-month survey “Halkidiki Economic Barometer,” conducted by the Chamber of Halkidiki in collaboration with the company Interview. Although the general economic climate index remains higher than last year, the season is unfolding with reduced visitor traffic and lower per capita spending.
Specifically, the economic climate index for businesses in Halkidiki stands at 5.0, slightly down from 5.1 in the previous two-month period. However, compared to the same period last year (4.1), this marks a clear improvement.
Despite the relative stability of the main index, the sub-indicators reflect business owners’ concerns about the current tourist season. 63% of respondents report lower visitor numbers compared to previous years, while only 10% observe an increase.
Visitors’ Weak Purchasing Power
The financial condition of visitors emerges as the most influential factor affecting this year’s performance, according to 41.4% of businesses. This is followed by pricing policies (29.3%) and political or geopolitical instability (16%).
Lower consumption is also reflected in estimates of per capita spending: 55% of businesses believe it is lower this year, while only 7% report an increase.
Domestic Visitors in Decline
Of particular concern is the drop in domestic demand, with 69% of business owners reporting that Greek visitors are fewer than last year. 26% see stable numbers, and only 5% report an increase.
Despite the negative demand outlook, 51% of entrepreneurs rate their business’s financial condition as “satisfactory,” 23% as “good,” and 26% as “poor.”
Low Expectations for the Next Six Months
Business expectations for the next half-year remain stagnant: 62% expect their financial results to remain the same, 23% anticipate a decline, and only 15% foresee an improvement.
Regarding turnover, 31% say it increased compared to the previous month, 29% say it stayed the same, and 40% report a decrease. These figures indicate an environment of high uncertainty and business variation.
Employment Remains Stable
Despite mixed market signals, employment appears stable: 80% of business owners plan to retain existing staff over the next month, 14% plan to hire, and only 6% intend to lay off employees.
A Tool for Dialogue and Intervention
The survey was conducted with a sample of 365 member businesses of the Halkidiki Chamber during June and July 2025, as part of the Chamber’s effort to assess the economic state of local businesses, highlight the challenges they face, and propose targeted interventions and policy recommendations.
As the Chamber notes, the “Halkidiki Economic Barometer” serves as a dialogue tool with the government and institutions, contributing to the evidence-based formulation of policies to support local entrepreneurship.
