Tourist arrivals reached 1.187 million in the first quarter of the year, recording an increase of 18.2 percent compared with last year, while tourist arrivals from France and Germany recorded a decline of 39 percent and 1.2 percent respectively, the Bank of Greece announced a few days ago.
This development helped tourism revenues rise by 21.7 percent in the period January-March 2014 compared with the same period last year.
Tourist arrivals from the EU 28 countries reached 598 thousand, increased by 18.2 percent, whereas tourist arrivals from countries outside the EU reached 589,000, increased by 13.8 percent compared with the same period last year.
Eurozone tourist arrivals increased 5.7 percent, while arrivals from the other EU countries increased 31.4 percent.
Tourist arrivals from Russia reached 26,000, increased 100 pct, while arrivals from the United States reached 32,000 increased 16.2 percent.
Tourism revenues from countries outside the EU increased by 31 percent at 252 million euros, followed by EU citizen tourism revenues that totaled 224 million euros in the period of January-March 2014, increased by 13.7 percent compared with the same period last year.
The tourism balance of payments in the period of January-March 2014 showed a surplus of 73 million euros compared to 43 million euros in the same period last year.
Greek tourism this year is on the rise, as arrivals from abroad are much higher than at rival destinations, such as Spain or Turkey.
Estimates are that 20 million tourists will visit our country this year, including cruise visitors, with Civil Aviation Authority data that Kathimerini has seen showing a 21 percent increase in air arrivals in the first four months of the year.
The arrivals figure for all Greek airports last month was even more impressive, as the number of tourists visiting the country posted a 33.9 percent rise compared with April 2013.
Bookings from virtually all of the main markets are showing a significant increase, with the only concern being Russia, Kathimerini notes. As the paper says bookings from Russia in the past few months are showing a significant fall.
Source: greek news, kathimerini
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