“In 2005 Germans and Britons represented 35 per cent of total arrivals, while in 2012 that was just 25 per cent. That difference is being covered by Russians and tourists from eastern Europe.
As the summer season sizzles in Greece, the number of international tourist arrivals to the country in 2013 is set to break all-time records.
George Drakopoulos, Director General of SETE (Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises), told Neos Kosmos: “Revenues are up 15 per cent for the period Jan-May 2013 compared to the same period last year.”
If the current trend continues, Mr Drakopoulos says that international arrivals will reach 17 million by the end of the year, ensuring 11 billion euros revenue is pumped into the besieged Greek economy.
Figures released by the The Bank of Greece show that in the 12 months to May 2013, tourism revenue increased by 38.5 per cent and foreign arrivals by 24 per cent, and as the peak-season rolls on, all the indications suggest that it will be a bumper year.
In 2012 international arrivals came in at 15.5 million, one million less than 2011. Tourist confidence in Greece dropped last year, which saw two fraught elections take place and much-hyped speculation about Greece’s potential exit from the euro.
The increase in tourism numbers is being fuelled by an expansion of newer markets wanting to sample Greece’s delights.
“This year the Russian and Turkish markets have the highest growth rates, while the Germans are also back,” said Mr Drakopoulos.
“In 2005 Germans and Britons represented 35 per cent of total arrivals, while in 2012 that was just 25 per cent. That difference is being covered by Russians and tourists from eastern Europe.”
The ever-popular destination of Santorini has seen an increase in bookings from Chinese, Japanese and Korean visitors and has registered the highest increase in foreign tourist arrivals for June with 27.5 per cent, according to the island’s tourism office.
To gauge operators’ responses to the statistics, Neos Kosmos spoke to Greek Australian hoteliers based in Greece.
Nick Geronimos, founder of Athens Backpackers and Studios, said that with hotels offering significant discounts and restaurant prices dropping, 2013 is shaping up to be a hugely positive year for operators and the economy.
“The figures are getting back to what we would have expected in 2010 and before.
“We’re getting more Australians than previously. UK numbers are down, as are visitors from the US,” says the Perth-born Geronimos, who adds that the social unrest in Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt has also been a factor in Greece’s attraction.
“Tourism here is definitely the best it has been in three years. All in all, Greece appears to be on the up.”
Roslyn Geronikolas, owner of the Eden Roc Hotel in Rhodes, says that the Dodecanese islands in particular are experiencing a major influx of visitors from Russia and the former Soviet Union.
“It looks as if they will surpass the number of English tourists, which to date have been number one.
“There are now daily direct charter flights from countries like Kazakhstan and Armenia.
“Our hotel is up 40 per cent on bookings so far from last year,” says Geronikolas.
The number of Australian arrivals in Greece in 2012 was 117,900, a small increase on 2011.
Kon Kavalakis, managing director of Grecian Tours in Melbourne, told Neos Kosmos that as far as the Australian market was concerned, from his experience in 2013 it was business as usual.
“It’s been pretty strong the last couple of years and this year isn’t any different.
“The rate of the euro against the Aussie dollar, especially at the start of the year, when most people were booking their trip, was good, so that helped.”
Over the past ten years there has been annual growth in the tourism industry in Greece, with the ‘crisis’ years seeing a slow down in that growth.
While more foreigners than ever may be taking advantage of lower prices in Greece this year – often cut by 30-40 per cent, domestic tourism is at a standstill, with many Greeks feeling unable to meet the costs of a holiday.
Meanwhile, Greek Minister of Finance, Yannis Stournaras, struck an upbeat tone last month on hearing the tourism figures.
While he confirmed the forecast for a recession of 4.2 per cent this year and a return to growth in 2014, this growth figure would be boosted if tourism receipts remained at the current level.
“The May (tourism) receipts are much, much better than expected. If we continue like this in the months to come then definitely recession this year will be around 4 per cent and then next year we will have a positive sign in front of the growth rate,” he said.