Australian visitors have contributed significantly to Greece’s economy in recent years. According to data from the Bank of Greece (BoG) on the tourism balance of payments, Greek tourism “took off” last year, with arrivals from all countries approaching the pre-pandemic record of 33 million and total receipts reaching a new high, exceeding €20 billion. The vast majority of Australians travelling to Greece were Greek Diaspora. Despite soaring ticket prices in 2023, their longing for the Greek summer ensured their numbers approached a historic high in 2019.

If the upward trend seen “post-COVID” continues this year the country is heading for a new records, visitors and spending. In 2023, the number of visitors from Australia amounted to 255,000 from January to September, while data for the tail end of the year is soon to be released. Australian visitors continued to be the top spenders per night, more than those from other countries in 2023, with spending hitting record levels.

Australian visitors spend the most money in 20 years
According to the BoG, in the third quarter of 2023 – July, August, and September – Australians spent on average €145.8, AUD$245 per day; the corresponding expenditure for 2022 was €128.2, AUD$188. The average expenditure per night for all visitors to Greece last year for the same period was €91.1 and AUD$150, almost 50 per cent less than that spent by Australians. Australians also spent more nights in Greece than visitors from other countries. They spent the most per trip – over €1,800, around AUD$3,000 – in the third quarter, not including airfares.

Greece’s tourism receipts from Australia more than doubled compared to 2022 and exceeded €430 million last year, or AUD$710 million. According to the BoG, the record receipts for visitors from Australia since 2005 was reached in 2017 with €394.9 million AUD$656.6 million, across all four quarters, while in 2018 and 2019, when arrivals were very high, the amounts totalled €362.4 million $AUD 602.7 million and €370.9 million $AUD 616.9 respectively.

Greek tourism peaks despite natural disasters
Greek tourism peaked last year despite the country being affected by fires and floods in many places during summer. Travel receipts increased by 15.7 per cent compared to 2022, reaching €20.459 billion, or $AUD34 billion. This reflects an increase of visitors from EU countries by 11.5 per cent, which amounted to €11.158 billion or $AUD 18.5 billion, as well as an increase in receipts from residents of non-EU countries by 18.5 per cent to €8.59 billion, AUD$14.2 billion.

Indicatively, travel receipts from Germany increased by 9.5 per cent to €3.5 billion, $AUD 5.8 billion, and France increased by 11.6 per cent to €1.4 billion, AUD$2.3 billion. Receipts from the United Kingdom also rose by 5.8 per cent to €3.3 billion, or AUD$5.4 billion. Receipts from the USA increased by 14 per cent to €1.3 billion, AUD$2.1 billion. In comparison, receipts from Russia fell by 20.8 per cent.

Travel to Greece recorded an overall increase of 17.6 per cent to 32.7 million travellers, compared to 27.8 million in 2022.

Greek government acknowledges Diaspora’s importance
Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti told Neos Kosmos, “Greek Diaspora holds a unique position among visitors from abroad.”
“Attracting our Diaspora to vacation in Greece is our aim, mainly to maintain their connection with the homeland, as the Greek diaspora is a living part of the indivisible Greek nation.”

“Moreover, compatriots act as ambassadors of Greece in their countries of residence out of their love for the homeland.
“The role of the Diaspora is crucial for introducing the global community to their homeland, Greece.”
Australian visitors to Greece have contributed significantly to its economy, as spending hit record levels in 2023.
The sector continues to attract visitors worldwide, and the government is working hard to ensure that it remains a top tourist destination.