Greek Outbound Travel Surges 8 Percent Spending 15 Percent Abroad

Greek tourism is experiencing a dual trend in 2025, with significant growth in American arrivals and rising outbound travel by Greeks to Central and Northern Europe. Direct flights from nine major U.S. airports to Athens have increased, with over 726,000 seats planned for 2025, reflecting a 21.4% rise from 2024, making the U.S. a key driver of Greek tourism growth. Meanwhile, Greeks are traveling abroad more frequently and spending more, with departures up 8% in 2024 and expenditures increasing by 15%, as many prefer higher-spending destinations like Germany, France, and the UK over closer, traditionally popular destinations like Turkey and Bulgaria. This shift is driven partly by inflation and rising domestic travel costs, which have made holidays within Greece, especially to islands like Aegina and the Cyclades, less affordable for many locals. Consequently, many Greeks are opting for cheaper or more economical foreign holidays, with some families finding even Northern European trips more affordable than domestic vacations. The combination of growing foreign tourism and local economic pressures highlights a complex landscape where international visitors thrive while many Greeks face constraints in enjoying traditional domestic holiday experiences.