Chios is entering a phase of tourism recovery, highlighting its character as an authentic four-season destination, with a focus on thematic and experiential tourism.
The emblematic – but for many still unexplored – island of mastic, is recording increased flows and developing its own, sustainable tourism model, with main markets being Turkey, Greece and gradually European countries.
“Approximately 140,000 Turkish visitors came to the island this year,” points out to Tornos News the president of the Chios Hoteliers’ Association, Ms. Mitsi Paidousi – Avgerinou, underlining the dynamics of this market.
As for the rest of the international markets, the island’s airport does not have direct connections with the outside world. However, mass tourism for Chios is neither realistic nor a desirable option, because at the moment the infrastructure cannot support it.
“What some consider a disadvantage, we want to turn into an advantage until the airport projects are implemented, which we hope will happen in 2026”, points out in statements to Tornos News the Deputy Mayor for Local Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Shipping and Tourism, Mr. George Christakis.
Besides, most hotels are small family-run, in the range of 14 to 50 beds. Based on data available to the Chios Hoteliers’ Association from its members, the number of hotel and rental apartment beds reaches 5,000. At the same time, another 2,000 beds come from short-term rentals.
The current goal is to improve infrastructure, expand the season and strengthen the brand so that “when the European markets open, and we will not be able to avoid mass tourism, we will be ready”, points out Mr. Christakis.
In a difficult year for Chios, during which two major fires, in June and August, burned 90 thousand acres of land, the 2025 season had a positive sign in air arrivals. According to the statistics of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, arrivals at “Omiros” airport in April showed a 17% increase compared to the corresponding month of 2024 (at 12,511) and May remained at last year’s levels (at 12,068).
Then, June saw an increase in arrivals of 12.6% (to 15,069), July +3.6% (to 19,533) and August +12.6% (to 19,194).
The tourism product and European markets
“Overall for this year, in terms of the flow from other markets to Chios, we are satisfied,” said Mr. Christakis. International visitors to Chios arrive on the island via Athens, Thessaloniki and Turkey.
The island “played” more than ever this year on social media through the motto “Experience Chios”. “We are chasing thematic tourism in the appropriate markets,” emphasized the deputy mayor.
Thus, with the medieval villages as a vehicle, during the 2025 season there was an increase in visitors from Italy, while the presence of visitors from Switzerland, the Scandinavian countries, Britain and Germany was also noticeable.
France, with particular interest in the monuments of Chios, and the Scandinavian countries, with an emphasis on trails and wine tasting, maintained their momentum this season. Spanish travelers and other nationalities from Europe also made their appearance this year.
At the same time, according to Mr. Christakis, a shift is underway to the Balkan markets for Chios, in countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, with the organization of family trips.
Hotels
Despite the increase in tourist flows, hotel businesses recorded a decrease in arrivals by approximately 8-10% this year, according to Mr. Christakis. As he underlined, “the decline in hotels is due to the very good year last year, which caused prices to rise this year, as a result of which some visitors, due to the expensive tickets to the island, chose more affordable accommodation such as short-term rentals”. He also attributed a small decrease observed in the income of catering businesses on the island to the same event.
At the same time, it is considered necessary for hotels to adapt to the needs for an extension of the season, which currently does not exceed the three main months of the summer, with minor deviations. “We want a four- to five-month season, and hotels should follow this, so that they remain open for a longer period”, said the deputy mayor of Chios.
