Elementary arithmetic

Greeks get slightly less downbeat

The percentage of Greeks who view their financial situation as bad or very bad declined by 4 points in the period from May 31 to June 14, compared with three months earlier, but at 67 percent it remains at a particularly high level, according to a Eurobarometer survey published on Friday. This compares with a 31 percent average rate across the European Union.

Major increase in travel receipts, tourism arrivals

By Stathis Kousounis

Total travel receipts in Greece posted a 17.3 percent increase in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period in 2013, according to data released by the Bank of Greece.

The total came to 471.4 million euros, while the number of visitors from abroad expanded by 15.4 percent to 1.3 million tourists.

Retail prices still offering consumers some relief

Retail prices eased for the 15th month in a row, offering consumers a breather according to Hellenic Statistical Authority data for May, when prices in the country dropped 2 percent on a yearly basis.

The figures released on Tuesday showed that the most significant price reductions concerned potatoes, fresh fruit and vegetables, apparel items, natural gas and vehicle insurance rates.

Occupancy rate grows at Athens hotels

By Stathis Kousounis

Athens hotels enjoyed the highest increase on a European level in terms of their average occupancy rate in April, as the latest STR Global report on the continent’s hotels showed that the Greek capital’s rate grew 17.3 percentage points, reaching 64.9 percent.

Notably, Greek Easter was in April this year, while in 2013 it has been in May.

Poll gives leftists narrow lead over ND, though not in general election scenario


SYRIZA is half a percentage point ahead of New Democracy in terms of popularity ahead of the May 25 European elections, though the conservatives are 1.4 percent more likely to get reelected if general elections were being held now, a poll by GPO conducted on behalf of Mega television channel showed on Tuesday.

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