Greece tourism sees 52.9 million overnight stays in H1 2026

Greece's tourism sector showed continued growth in the first half of 2026, with approximately 52.9 million overnight stays recorded, representing a 1.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. International visitors dominated the market, accounting for 82% of total stays, totaling 43.4 million. In contrast, domestic tourism remained relatively stagnant at around 9.5 million stays, a trend attributed to economic pressures such as high food and fuel costs.

Financial indicators remain strong, with tourism revenues for the first half of 2026 rising by 14.8% to reach 8.8 billion euros. While tourist arrivals increased by 15.4%, the average spend per trip saw a slight decline of 6.2%, influenced by geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and shorter lengths of stay.

Regional performance varied; while destinations like Crete and Rhodes maintained momentum, Santorini faced increased pressure. The cruise sector has also seen significant growth, with arrivals and revenues doubling compared to 2019 levels. Additionally, there is a noted structural shift toward short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb, which is driving ongoing debate within the hospitality industry.