BoG – More than 4 million tourists in August – The countries of origin

Impressive numbers were recorded in tourism in Greece in August as tourists reached 4.07 million.

According to the provisional data of the Bank of Greece, the travel balance in August 2021 showed a surplus of 2,965 million euros, compared to a surplus of 1,319 million euros in the corresponding month of 2020.

In particular, an increase of 125.4% was recorded in August 2021 in travel receipts, which amounted to 3,112 million euros, compared to 1,381 million euros in the corresponding month of 2020, while an increase of 137.5% was also observed in travel payments ( August 2021: EUR 147 million, August 2020: EUR 62 million).

The increase in travel receipts is due to the increase in incoming travel traffic by 125.5%, while the average expenditure per trip decreased by 1.0%. Net receipts from the provision of travel services more than offset (124.1%) the goods deficit and contributed 90.9% to total net receipts from services.

In the period January-August 2021, the travel balance showed a surplus of 5,971 million euros, compared to a surplus of 2,185 million euros in the corresponding period of 2020. An increase of 3,789 million euros (135.7%) was presented by travel receipts, which were formed in 6,582 million euros, while an increase of 3 million euros (0.5%) was also observed in travel payments, which amounted to 610 million euros. The increase in travel receipts is due to the increase in incoming travel traffic by 79.2%, as well as the average expenditure per trip by 30.5%.

Net receipts from travel services offset by 38.5% the goods balance deficit and contributed 75.0% to total net receipts from services.

Travel receipts

In August 2021, as mentioned above, travel receipts increased by 125.4% compared to the corresponding month of 2020. More specifically, receipts from residents of EU-27 countries increased by 119.8%, which came to € 2,147 million, while receipts from residents of non-EU-27 countries increased by 131.3% (August 2021: € 934 million, August 2020: € 404 million). The increase in receipts from residents of EU-27 countries was a result of the increase in receipts from residents of euro area countries by 106.6% (August 2021: € 1,716 million, August 2020: € 831 million), as well as and by residents of EU-27 countries outside the euro area by 194.5%, which amounted to 431 million euros.

In particular, for the most important countries of origin of travelers from the euro area, receipts from Germany increased by 73.7% to 570 million euros and those from France increased by 137.9% to 382 million euros. Of the non-EU-27 countries, receipts from the United Kingdom increased by 46.0% to € 474 million, while receipts from the United States increased by 1,599.8% to € 127 million euros. Receipts from Russia also increased significantly to € 21 million.

In the period January-August 2021, travel receipts increased by 135.7% compared to the corresponding period of 2020 and amounted to 6,582 million euros. This development is due to the increase of receipts from residents of EU-27 countries by 146.2%, which amounted to 4,465 million euros, as well as receipts from residents of non-EU-27 countries by 102.0%, which amounted to EUR 1,971 million. More specifically, receipts from residents of euro area countries amounted to 3,486 million euros, increased by 134.6%, while receipts from residents of EU-27 countries outside the euro area increased by 198.3% and amounted to to 979 million euros.

In particular, receipts from Germany increased by 114.7% compared to the corresponding period of 2020 and amounted to 1,264 million euros, while receipts from France increased by 207.7% and amounted to 731 million euros. From outside the EU-27, receipts from the United Kingdom increased by 75.2% to € 787 million. Receipts from the US increased by 371.5% and amounted to 340 million euros, while those from Russia increased by 414.1% and amounted to 58 million euros.

Incoming travel traffic

The incoming travel traffic in August 2021 came to 4,074 thousand passengers, an increase of 125.5% compared to the corresponding month of 2020. In particular, travel traffic through airports increased by 92.9% compared to August 2020 and this through road border stations by 756, 0%. The increase in incoming travel traffic was a result of the increase in travel traffic from both EU-27 countries by 119.1% and from non-EU-27 countries by 144.3%.

More specifically, the travel traffic from the euro area countries amounted to 2,100 thousand travelers, increased by 93.2%. Travel traffic from EU-27 countries outside the euro area also increased by 226.4%, reaching 857 thousand travelers. In particular, travel traffic from Germany increased by 77.0% to 733 thousand travelers, while that from France increased by 109.3% to 386 thousand travelers. Regarding non-EU-27 countries, travel traffic from the United Kingdom increased by 30.3% to 455 thousand travelers and from the USA by 1,620.6% to 75 thousand travelers. Finally, travel traffic from Russia also increased significantly and reached 24 thousand travelers.

In the period January-August 2021, the incoming travel traffic increased by 79.2% and amounted to 8,624 thousand travelers, compared to 4,813 thousand travelers in the corresponding period of 2020. In particular, travel traffic through airports increased by 98.4%, while it increased by 34.4% through road border stations. During the period under review, travel traffic from EU-27 countries amounted to 6,201 thousand travelers, showing an increase of 97.4% compared to the corresponding period of 2020. Travel traffic from non-EU-27 countries was to 2,423 thousand travelers, increased by 45.0%. Travel traffic from euro area countries increased by 112.1% and that from EU-27 countries outside the euro area by 71.1%. In particular, travel traffic from Germany increased by 111.1% and amounted to 1,534 thousand travelers, while that from France increased by 184.8% to 775 thousand travelers. Regarding non-EU-27 countries, travel traffic from the United Kingdom increased by 37.0% to 723 thousand travelers, while that from the United States increased by 127.2% to 211 thousand travelers. Finally, travel traffic from Russia increased by 142.6% and amounted to 54 thousand travelers.