Data presented by the international financial conglomerate Price Waterhouse Coopers indicates that tourist arrivals in Greece in 2024 reached a historic high of up to 41.6 million, an increase of 22.4% compared to 2023.

Arrivals exceeded 36 million in 2023, while in 2022, they reached approximately 30 million, confirming Greece’s increasing attraction as a holiday destination. The figures include the number of visitors arriving on cruise ships, a tourist sector which has also seen a major increase in 2024.

Although tourism is an important part of the Greek economy, contributing approximately 13% to GDP annually, there has been growing frustration from those who live in regions affected by over-tourism, such as Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos, where the number of visitors is stretching the local infrastructure to breaking point.

Recent surveys conducted within local communities point out the need for better tourism management, with measures such as strengthening infrastructure, extending the tourist season, and controlling and taxing short-term rentals that have increased the cost of housing for locals. They also consider it important to promote responsible forms of tourism that respect the environment and the local community.