Dep PM Hatzidakis: Greek tourism heading towards a new all-time record in 2026

Greek tourism is heading towards a new all-time record for arrivals and travel receipts in 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said the start of the Rethymno Tourism Summit 2026, which began on Monday at the Theartemis Palace Conference Centre in Rethymno.

According to the figures he presented, arrivals had increased by 10% and travel receipts by 9.4% up until August, continuing the upward trend recorded in 2025, when Greece welcomed 38 million visitors and revenues reached € 23.6 billion. He stressed that this performance was particularly significant given the ongoing armed conflicts and international uncertainty.

At the same time, he highlighted the gradual extension of the tourist season as a positive development, creating opportunities for higher revenues for businesses and longer periods of employment for workers. He underlined, however, that the debate on tourism must move beyond the annual tally of arrivals and receipts, focusing instead on the quality of growth and its impact on destinations.

“The dilemma is not whether we want more or less tourism,” he said, arguing that the goal should be better and more sustainable tourism, generating greater value for the economy, protecting the environment and delivering the greatest possible benefits to local communities.

In this context, he outlined four key priorities for the sector’s future: modern infrastructure, clear rules governing tourism development, an extended tourist season, and stronger education and workforce development.

amna.gr