ELSTAT: Greece Sees Rise in 2016 Tourist Arrivals, Overnight Stays

Greece in 2016 saw a 2.7 percent increase in arrivals and a four percent rise in overnight stays in hotels, similar establishments and campsites, compared to the year before, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Friday.

According to ELSTAT’s final data, Greece last year recorded an increase of 4.5 percent in arrivals and 5.8 percent in overnight stays by residents, compared with 2015. Arrivals and overnight stays by non-residents grew by 1.9 percent and 3.6 percent respectively.

ELSTAT said that the annual occupancy of beds in hotels and similar establishments (excluding tourist campsites), which is calculated taking into account the overnight stays compared to the beds that were in operation, was 50.1 percent in 2016, compared with 49.1 percent in 2015.

Crete

Moreover, 84.8 percent of the arrivals and 92 percent of the overnight stays in hotels, similar establishments and tourist campsites of Greece, are recorded during the period from April to October, showing an extension of the tourism season.

By region, a significant increase of arrivals and overnight stays was recorded in Crete, the Ionian Islands, South Aegean, the Peloponnese and Central Macedonia.

In 2016, the largest share of arrivals and overnight stays in hotels, similar establishments and tourist campsites, in absolute values, is recorded by non-residents (i.e 68.3 percent of arrivals and 81.9 percent of overnight stays.

The largest contribution of arrivals and overnight stays last year was recorded from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Sweden. Arrivals and overnight stays from Russia increased by 5.7 percent and 7.7 percent respectively. According to ELSTAT, arrivals and overnight stays from the United States dropped last year by 10.7 percent and 6.5 percent respectively, compared to 2015.