According to the New York Times, the rise of Greek tourism is significant this year. As it is mentioned, the political turmoil around the Mediterranean and especially in the Middle East has benefited particularly this summer the economies of the southern European countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, thanks to the significant increase of tourists.
As regards Greece, it is stressed that the increase of tourist flow this year is due to the aggressive pricing policy of the agents and the hotels, with accommodation prices being reduced by 10% in comparison to last year. It is also stressed that “The Greek travel sector, which represents as much as 15 percent of Greece’s $251 billion economy, has had to claw its way back after crippling transport strikes and other labor protests scared away many tourists.”
Then it is referred that, “Although Greece remains in financial trouble and is expected soon to need even more international assistance,Yannis Stournaras, the Greek Finance Minister, told the Parliament last week that Athens was on target to raise its gross domestic product this year, mainly because of tourism.”
Finally, the publication refers to the figures of 2013 in comparison to last year, saying that “the number of visitors to Greece is expected to top 17 million this year, from 15.5 million in 2012. The Bank of Greece said revenue from tourism rose 18 percent in the first half of the year, to $4.4 billion.”
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