Crete, the Dodecanese, and the Ionian Islands emerged as Greece’s top-performing regions for international air arrivals in the first five months of 2025, according to new data from INSETE, the research arm of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).
Crete led the way with over 1 million international air arrivals between January and May, up by 54,000 passengers (5.6 percent) compared to the same period in 2024. The Dodecanese followed with 786,000 arrivals, an increase of 26,000 (3.3 percent), while the Ionian Islands welcomed 547,000 visitors – rising by 27,000 or 5.2 percent.
The Peloponnese recorded a notable percentage gain, with arrivals growing by 16.0 percent to reach 38,000 passengers. Meanwhile, the Cyclades was the only region to see a decline, with arrivals dropping by 24,000 (–15.3 percent) to 133,000.
Nationwide, Greece received 6.3 million international air arrivals in the first five months of 2025, up 351,000 or 5.9 percent year-on-year. May alone brought in 3.0 million arrivals, an increase of 153,000 or 5.3 percent compared to May 2024.
Strong demand fuels rise in travel receipts
Knossos, Crete.
Between January and April, travel receipts rose by 10.6 percent year-on-year to 2.157 billion euros. The increase was driven by a 26.0 percent surge in spending from non-EU residents, who generated 1.040 billion euros. By contrast, EU-27 residents spent 1.026 billion euros (–1.8 percent).
Among EU markets, receipts from eurozone countries fell 5.7 percent to 862 million euros, while non-eurozone EU countries saw a 25.4 percent jump, reaching 164 million euros.
The US and UK were among the strongest individual markets, with spending up 36.8 percent and 23.4 percent, respectively. Receipts from Germany rose 0.8 percent, while France and Italy posted declines of 25.0 percent and 6.6 percent.
Short-term rentals break 1-million bed milestone early
INSETE’s bulletin also included data on short-term rental activity, which continued to show strong growth in early 2025.
In April, available units reached 228,000 (up 16,000 year-on-year), and May listings rose to 236,000 (up 18,000).
For the first time, bed capacity exceeded 1 million in April – two months earlier than in 2024. Capacity continued to grow in May, reaching 1.038 million beds, compared to 962,000 last May.
Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
Source link
