It is anticipated that 2025 will be “another record year” for tourism in the country, despite a shortage of the workforce needed for this important sector of its economy.
In an interview, it was stated, “Overall, we expect 2025 to be another record year for tourism in our country.”
Data published at the end of last November showed that the number of visitors to Greece from January to September 2025 reached 31.6 million, an increase of 4% compared to the same period in 2024. During the entire year of 2024, the number of visitors to Greece was 40.7 million people, an increase of 12.8% over 2023.
Annual record numbers in tourism revenue
Since the receding of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greece—popular with tourists especially for its Aegean islands and archaeological sites—has been posting annual record numbers in tourism revenue and foreign visitor numbers.
Heatwaves and deadly wildfires pose a threat to this sector, which has been a focus since 2019 in an effort to stimulate the economy after the financial crisis.
It was noted that this sector contributed directly to about 13% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2024, and indirectly to more than 30% of GDP. Optimism was expressed regarding the coming year as well.
“Indicators for 2026 are very encouraging already”
It was added, “Indicators for 2026 are very encouraging already and allow us to be optimistic.” However, it was cautioned that the sector has been facing a workforce shortage since the pandemic, describing it as “a serious existing problem in a number of European countries.”
The expansion of short-term rentals in central Athens has contributed to rising real estate prices in the Greek capital, drawing criticism from residents who face increasing difficulties in finding housing.
This week, a promise was made to “curb the uncontrolled expansion of short-term rentals in cities” by extending the current ban on short-term rentals to the main streets of central Athens.
