Greece: The Tourists Return

Helena Smith, The Guardian

"In a country where trickle-down economics begins with tourism – one in five of the working population are dependent on the sector – the arrival of foreign visitors has brought relief.

It has also reinforced the official narrative, so often unfelt by those on the ground, that after achieving the biggest fiscal adjustment in global history, things are finally improving for the eurozone's weakest link. This month the Confederation of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) revised its projections for the second time this year – from 18.5 million to 19 million arrivals (excluding 2.2 million on cruise ships) - nearly twice the Greek population...SETE has set a target of 24 million visitors by 2021 ".

Occupation rates, Athens Hotels

Tourism beating expectations

PM's Plans

Tourist airport arrivals, May 2014

Latest stats

UNWTO April 2014 World Tourism Barometer

Airport arrivals, 2007-2013

SETE, Greek Tourism Facts and Figures, 2013 Edition slides

European Tourism Preferences (EC)