Greece a popular destination for travellers from outside Europe

Greece is a major attraction for travellers from Australia, Canada and the US, with Greek destinations among the top 15 for people from those markets travelling overseas. For this reason, those markets are considered notably more promising than other remote markets such as China and India. As reported by APE-MPE, these were some of the conclusions of a study carried out by the Institute of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (INSETE) on “The profile of important markets for Greek tourism” outside Europe, and specifically the USA, Canada, China, India and Australia. In 2019 and 2023 these markets accounted for some 11 per cent of overall income from foreign tourism.

Visitors at the Acropolis


Choice of destinations
Among those planning to travel in the next 12 months from these markets, Greece was in 10th place for Australia (with 10%), 11th for Canada (with 8%) and the 12th for the US (with 9%). It is noteworthy that in the US and Canada, Greece is only 1 percentage point behind the countries which are one or two places ahead of it in the order of preference. In the Chinese and Indian markets on the other hand, Greece comes 33rd and 39th respectively, since travellers from those countries prefer Asian destinations.

The top choices in those markets are Mexico for Americans, the US for Canadians, Singapore for the Indians and Chinese, and New Zealand for the Australians. In the next 12 months 57 per cent of Americans are planning to take a holiday abroad, the smallest number of the countries surveyed. For Canada the figure is 71%, for China 63%, for India 71% and for Australia 68%.

Reasons for travel
As regards the reasons for travelling, “pleasure and relaxation” are the basic motives for the majority, from 53% of Indians to 67% of Australians, while the next most popular – “experiencing a new place and culture” – was quoted by 43% to 50% of respondents. For the Chinese, the motives are reversed, with 44% quoting “experiencing a new place and culture ” as their main reason and 42% giving “pleasure and relaxation”.

As regards the type of holiday which is contemplated in the next 12 months, or the type of holiday more generally preferred by the markets being studied, it is noteworthy that the “Sun and Sea” formula which mostly prevails in Greece is not the only one which is popular. Journeys for sightseeing or for experiencing nature are also particularly popular, with the latter preferred by the Indians and the Chinese.

Specifically, the beach is preferred by 32% of Americans, 35% of Canadians, 32% of Chinese, 32% of Indians and 30% of Australians. Journeys for sightseeing are preferred by 33% of Americans and Canadians, 23% of Chinese, 25% of Indians and 39% of Australians. Journeys to experience nature on the other hand are preferred by 25% of Americans, 28% of Canadians, 38% of Chinese, 43% of Indians and 26% of Australians.

Length and cost of journey
Regarding the length of journey contemplated in the next 12 months, the preference is mainly for journeys of medium to long duration, with stays of more than 7 days preferred by 1 in 3 Americans (34%), more than 4 out of 10 Canadians (43%) and 6 out of 10 Australians (62%).

As regards the amount visitors are prepared to pay for an overnight stay per person (including taxes), the Indians are disposed to pay notably less than other nationalities. Willing to pay up to 110.00 US dollars are 25% of Americans, 29% of Canadians, 33% of Australians, 55% of Chinese and 81% of Indians. Proposing to pay from 111.00 to 180.00 US dollars are 31% of Americans, 36% of Canadians, 25% of Australians, 31% of Chinese and 15% of Indians. Sums over 180.00 US dollars are contemplated by 38% of Americans, 24% of Canadians, 35% of Australians and 13% of Chinese.
(Haniotika Nea 25/06/24)