Greece tourism receipts reach €8.8 billion in H1 2026

Data from the Bank of Greece indicates that Greek tourism saw a significant rise in arrivals during the first half of 2026, with non-resident arrivals increasing by 15.4% to reach approximately 13.49 million. This surge drove travel receipts up by 14.8% to roughly €8.8 billion compared to the same period in 2025.

However, a trend of declining average spending per trip has emerged. While arrivals grew, the average expenditure per traveler decreased by 0.6% for the first half of the year. This trend was more pronounced in June, where average spending dropped by 6.2% to €668.5, resulting in a modest 1.2% increase in monthly receipts despite a 6.9% rise in arrivals.

Market performance varied significantly by nationality. Receipts from Italian tourists rose by 31.1%, and those from the US increased by 10.8%. Conversely, receipts from German and French tourists saw declines, with German revenue falling by 6.3% and French revenue by 7.4%.

Separately, Greek exports to the United States rose by 15.6% to €1.3 billion in the first half of 2026. This growth was primarily driven by a 98% surge in petroleum products. Excluding petroleum, exports to the US actually fell by 4.2%. Other notable export increases included aluminum (27.5%) and iron/steel products (60.2%), despite existing tariffs.