Despite fears of “tourist trap” fatigue this season ostensibly threatening Greece’s two pre-eminent holiday destinations, Santorini and Mykonos, the greater Athens area is reporting near-2019 levels – the banner year for the tourism industry in the country.
According to the Attica-Athens-Argosaronic Hotel Association, the average occupancy rate in the wider Athens-Piraeus-Saronic Gulf region for the first five months of the years is still down by 4 percent, compared to 2019.
At the same time, the association said the Greek capital is still among the least expensive European cities for visitors.
Expectedly, last month, May 2023, outpaced the corresponding month in 2022, and was also marginally better than May 2019, in terms of occupancy. Additionally, average room rates have posted double-digit price hikes.
Specifically, average occupancy for hotels in the region in May reached 88.5 percent, up by 7.9 percent compared to May 2022.
In terms of the five-month period, January to May, the occupancy rate reached 68.9 percent, down 4 percent from the same figure in pre-pandemic 2019.
Latest News
Deadline for Postal Vote Registration Expires on Mon.
More than 157,000 Greek citizens had registered on the relevant online platform so far
Orthodox Palm Sunday Today; Shops Open in Greater Athens-Piraeus Area
Orthodox Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29, and ends on Sunday, Easter Sunday or Great and Holy Pascha (May 5)
Greek Retailers Remain Optimistic About Easter Shoppers’ Turnout
While stores are expected to be open on Sunday, April 28, the majority of Easter shoppers will likely do their shopping during the Holy Week, following the deposit of Easter bonuses
Europeche: Greek Apricot Production Recovers
Europeche forecasts the production will bounce back despite a slight decrease in varieties attributed to high winter temperatures
Bank of Greece (BoG): Business-Household Deposits Up 1,675bln in March 2024
In March 2024, the monthly net flow of credit to the general government was negative by 469 million euros
FT: Greece’s Economic Rebound a Balance of Growth and Poverty
Eurostat data revealed a significant 10.8% drop in Greek public debt relative to GDP in 2023, alongside a 2% economic expansion, outpacing Germany's performance.
Lavrio Port Authority Next Up for Privatization
A deadline for the submission of expressions of interest is May 14, 2024
Eurostat: Greece Records Largest Drop in Natural Gas Prices in 2nd Half of 2023
The price of electricity and natural gas in Europe was down following a substantial surge that began before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and peaked in 2022
GEK TERNA Still Considers Leveraging Concessions Portfolio as Financial Tool
President and CEO of Gek Terna George Peristeris explained the company's plans on Tuesday on the sidelines of the inauguration of sections of Greece's E65 highway
NielsenIQ: 3% Supermarket Revenue Increase in Q1
Private label products are gaining traction, comprising 25.4% of shopping basket shares, up from 24.7%