Mykonos, Santorini Waning – The Islands Brits, Americans Pick

Mykonos and Santorini have been undeniable tourist magnets for many decades. But there seems to be a shift in foreign traveler preferences, especially for British and American visitors.

Based on the analysis by Ferryscanner covering the period from January 2025 until the end of May, a growing portion of American travelers are opting for destinations offering peace and relaxation.

The same data indicates that British tourists appear more eager to explore new island locations and off the beaten track destinations. The figures showed that bookings for the two famous destinations of Santorini and Mykonos were down by 50% and 33%, respectively.

Instead of the two islands, tourists are choosing smaller islands and destinations. Islands like Aegina, Skopelos, Alonissos, and Poros have recorded remarkable increases in bookings—over 200% in many cases—suggesting a shift toward tranquility and authenticity. Notably, bookings for Aegina are up by 333%, while Poros has seen a 350% rise.

Americans have elevated the island of Paros, a perfect spot for windsurfing, to the second most popular location for their holidays, now surpassing both Mykonos and Santorini.

The Ionian island of Lefkada, located off the western coast of the Greek mainland and part of the Heptanese cluster, is among the top picks for British travelers, who also showed a growing interest in lesser-known Sougia, Fournoi, and Kastellorizo—all registering booking increases of over 200%. Lefkada in particular has seen a staggering 1,167% increase compared to last year.

The island of Tinos and, surprisingly, Igoumenitsa (located in the northwest mainland of Greece) are gaining traction, ranking among the top ten destinations for UK travelers. Paros, once again, tops the list for British tourists this season. The data points to a more adventurous and exploratory travel trend among British visitors, reflecting a growing appetite for discovering new and unique destinations.

Source: Tovima.com