Tourist season in Greece to be extended

The extension of the tourist season in Greece for 2024 is indeed a reality, supported by various promising statistics. Key indicators show significant growth in tourism activities:

1. Increase in International Flights and Arrivals:
   • Data from the Airdata Tracker highlights an 8.2% increase in scheduled seats for international flights to Greece compared to 2023, with over 50% of this increase occurring in the third quarter of the year. Notably, the months of April and May saw increases of 12.3% and 14.3%, respectively​ 
2. Economic Impact:
   • According to the Bank of Greece, travel receipts for the first four months of the year increased by 22%, and inbound travel traffic rose by 20%. April alone saw a 15.9% rise in travel receipts and a 13.9% increase in travel traffic compared to the same period in 2023​ 
3. Extended Tourist Season:
   • Efforts to extend the tourist season are evident, with an earlier start in places like Heraklion, Crete, and a push to attract tourists during the traditionally off-peak months of April, May, and October. This strategy aims to stabilize and increase tourist arrivals outside the peak summer months​ 
4. Diverse Tourist Destinations:
   • There is a notable trend of tourists spreading out to more diverse locations within Greece, beyond the well-known hotspots. This dispersion helps manage tourist traffic and enhances the overall visitor experience by reducing congestion in popular areas​ 

Overall, these trends and data indicate a robust and extended tourist season for Greece in 2024, which is expected to contribute positively to the economy and the tourism sector.