SETE Intelligence

Tourism employment reached a record high of 400,000 people last summer, according to data compiled by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE Intelligence).

In the period from July to September 2017, tourism employed 19,000 more people than a year earlier - an annual increase or 5 percent from the 381,000 employed in the summer of 2016.

The regions of Greece that performed poorly in key tourism indicators such as revenues, overnight stays and visits included, western Macedonia, Central Greece and the Peloponnese. In contrast, the “winners” of the increase in tourists were the South Aegean, Crete, Attica and Central Macedonia, which achieved notably positive results in all three indicators.

The tourist revenue that will be generated this year will be between 14 and 14,3 billion Euros according to SETE Intelligence’s estimates. This was included the announcement by the Bank of Greece for the eight-month tourist season, including August, the most critical month for Greek tourism.

The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) released its April data bulletin, according to which there was a divergence of tourism arrivals and revenues. The data, recorded by SETE Intelligence, revealed that the average daily spending by foreign tourists in Greece in 2016 stood at 67 euros, a drop in comparison to the 70-75 euros visitors had been steadily spending the previous years.

According to data released by the Greek Tourist Organisation (SETE), international arrivals to Greek airports “soared” in September, recording a 15% rise compared to last year.

 Increase of tax on accommodation could wipe 3.8 bln euros off the country’s GDP and cause job losses

Tourism professionals vehemently oppose the government’s intention to raise the value-added tax on accommodation from the current 6.5 percent to 13 percent.