Greece is in fourth place in the list of the most popular countries where Europeans want to spend their holidays this summer, the Greek publication Kathimerini informs on Sunday, taken over by Agerpres.
The Greek state shares the position with Portugal, while Spain and Italy, which are in first and second place respectively, have a significantly stronger position than the previous year. These developments are partly due to the relatively greater distance of the two countries from the epicenter of the war in the Middle East.
In third place is France, the same position as last year. Greece and Portugal are followed in the top 10 by Germany and Great Britain, Turkey, Croatia and Austria.
According to the latest report from the European Travel Commission (ECT), the willingness of Europeans to travel this spring and summer increased by 10% to 82%, the highest level since 2020.
Most Europeans want 'sea and sun'
But Greece remains one of the growth engines of European tourism, with 8% of respondents choosing it as their next destination in Europe, writes Kathimerini. The country attracts a wide range of foreign visitors, with 7% of citizens from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland planning to visit the Greek state in the coming months. At the same time, 6% of Austrians and Swiss and 5% of Italians and Spaniards put Greece on their list of destinations.
The dominant motivation for these trips is recreation, a priority for 77% of Europeans, while 28% choose “sea and sun”.
20% of respondents are concerned about rising costs, so the trend is towards shorter stays, with 38% planning trips of 4-6 nights, with budgets below €1,000 per person.
How many are concerned about tensions in the Middle East
And geopolitical stability plays a key role in destination choice, with security now the most important factor in destination choice for 22% of travelers.
Tensions in the Middle East are a cause for concern for 18% of Europeans, with many preferring destinations perceived to be more geographically protected.
