Double win for Greek tourism as revenues and arrivals surge in Jan-Feb

Greek tourism has recorded strong performance in the first two months of the year, with travel receipts and arrivals surging, according to the Bank of Greece (BoG).

More specifically, Greece welcomed 2.13 million foreign visitors  in January–February 2026, with travel revenues exceeding 1 billion euros. The robust winter performance suggests Greece is making progress in extending its tourist season, with attention now turning to the potential impact of the Middle East conflict in the coming months.

The travel balance recorded a surplus of 518.8 million euros in the first two months, up from 179.8 million in the same period of 2025. Travel receipts jumped 70.7% to 1.007 billion, while travel payments rose by 77.8 million, or 19%, to 487.9 million.

Average spending per trip rises 24.2%
According to the Bank of Greece, the increase in travel receipts reflects both a 38.5% rise in inbound travel and a 24.2% increase in average expenditure per trip. Net receipts from travel services accounted for 78.6% of total net services receipts.

Arrivals up 38.5%

Inbound travel rose 38.5% to 2.123 million visitors, compared with 1.537 million in the same period last year. Air arrivals increased by 19%, while arrivals via road border crossings surged by 83.9%. Travel from EU countries rose 49.1% to 1.106 million visitors, while arrivals from non-EU countries increased 28.6% to 1.023 million. Travel from euro area countries rose 37.3%, while arrivals from EU countries outside the euro zone jumped 129.5%.

Germany and UK lead key markets

Germany and the United Kingdom remained Greece’s main markets. Arrivals from Germany rose 8.2% to 174,400 visitors, while flows from France climbed 41.5% to 54,800. Italian arrivals increased 3.6% to 83,700 visitors. Among non-EU countries, arrivals from the UK surged 56.7% to 164,200, while those from the United States fell 9.8% to 98,100.