Greece tourism hits record highs amid labor shortages

Greece's tourism sector reached historic milestones in 2025, with international arrivals totaling 43.3 million including cruises. Tourism revenues for the January–August period exceeded 18.1 billion euros, marking a 9.4% increase compared to the previous year. The sector's direct contribution to the national GDP is estimated at 13%, while its total impact is approximately 30%.

Despite these economic successes, a study by INSETE highlights significant structural challenges. While employment in accommodation and catering reached 475,000 workers—representing 17% of total national employment—the industry faces acute labor shortages, with a 14% vacancy rate in the hotel sector. Seasonality remains a critical issue, as summer employment in hotels is 2.6 times higher than in winter.

Additional concerns include geographic inequality, with 47% of arrivals concentrated in just five islands, and a decline in the average length of stay, which dropped to 6.1 nights in 2025. Furthermore, only 8% of hotels hold environmental sustainability certifications, and there is a noted gap in utilizing specialized human resources, as only 24% of tourism school graduates work in hotel units.