Greece tourism revenue jumps 25% as heatwave cuts grain harvest

Greek tourism earnings rose sharply in the first five months of 2026, with revenue increasing 25.8% year‑on‑year to €5.32 billion. Visitor arrivals grew 20.9% to 8.57 million, led by the United Kingdom, which posted a 35.9% rise. Average spending per visitor remained modest, with the overall per‑traveller spend at €689.4 in May. Analysts note that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, higher energy prices and recent airline booking trends keep the outlook for the remainder of the year uncertain.

A separate June heatwave across Europe severely affected Greek grain production. Forecasts show a loss of 191,000 tonnes, a 7.3% decline that translates to roughly €39 million in foregone farm revenues. The percentage drop exceeds that of France, Spain and Germany, highlighting the vulnerability of Greece’s agricultural sector to extreme weather events.