Quote from Alex bobby on July 26, 2025, 5:16 AM

Greek Travellers in 2024 Opt for Longer Breaks and Staying with Family, ELSTAT Data Shows

In 2024, Greek travellers embraced a more laid-back and familial approach to their holidays, with longer breaks, increased spending, and a clear preference for staying with relatives or in privately owned holiday homes. According to fresh data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), a significant uptick was observed in both domestic and international travel by Greek citizens, signalling a shift not only in travel habits but also in post-pandemic leisure priorities.

A Steady Rise in Travel Activity

A total of 5.1 million Greek citizens took at least one trip in 2024, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year. In terms of volume, they made 8.6 million trips altogether. These trips translated into 81.3 million overnight stays, reflecting a 4.6% year-on-year growth. The upward trend extended to travel expenditure, which rose by 7.5%, totalling €3.7 billion for the year.

For those aged 15 and above—who comprised the vast majority of travellers—4.2 million individuals ventured out at least once, up 3.6% from 2023. They collectively embarked on 7.2 million trips (+4.5%) and recorded 69.2 million overnight stays, a 5% increase. They’re spending reached €3.43 billion, up 7.8%, underlining a greater willingness to invest in travel experiences, even if modest or close to home.

Travel for Pleasure, Not Business

The dominant purpose of travel in 2024 was clearly personal. A staggering 96.4% of trips were taken for holidays, leisure, or to visit family and friends. Only 3.6% were attributed to business, reinforcing the idea that Greeks are valuing downtime, connection, and rejuvenation more than ever.

Age Demographics and Travel Trends

The 45–64 age group saw the most notable increase in travel engagement. Within this demographic, the number of people who travelled rose by 6.5%. Trips taken by this group went up by 3.7%, spending increased 4.6%, and overnight stays climbed 3.2%. This indicates a growing appetite among middle-aged Greeks to explore or unwind—likely due to greater financial stability or more flexible schedules compared to younger or older citizens.

Longer Breaks Becoming the Norm

While weekend getaways remain popular, trips lasting 4 to 7 nights witnessed the largest growth. These types of holidays surged by 9% in terms of trip numbers and saw an 8.2% increase in total nights spent. This change suggests that many Greeks are leaning toward more substantial vacations, possibly to maximise the relaxation and social benefits of travel.

Modes of Transport: Land Still Dominates, but Air Travel Surges

Land transport remained the most popular choice for travel within Greece, accounting for 4.7 million trips. This was followed by sea travel with 1.2 million trips. However, air travel saw the highest increase, surging by 17% compared to 2023. This likely reflects both increased international travel and more domestic flights as tourism infrastructure continues to develop.

A Return to Family and Familiarity

In a notable shift from previous years, just over half (52.4%) of personal trips in 2024 were spent in non-rented accommodation, including stays with family or friends. Within this category, 53.9% stayed for free with relatives or friends. These kinds of stays made up nearly three-quarters (73.7%) of all overnight stays.

Additionally, the use of privately owned holiday homes grew substantially, with an 8.2% rise in trips and an impressive 16.8% increase in nights spent. This points to a growing trend of “home-style” holidays, perhaps driven by both cost-saving considerations and a desire for comfort and familiarity.

Hotels Hold Strong in the Rental Sector

While many Greek travellers opted for free or personal accommodation, rented accommodation still accounted for 47.6% of personal trips. Within this segment, hotels and similar lodgings remained the preferred option, capturing 60.5% of rented stays. Hotel trips increased by 8.5%, and overnight stays in hotels rose by 4.6% year-on-year.

These statistics suggest that while many are seeking comfort in family and home-style stays, there remains a solid market for traditional hospitality services—particularly among those who prefer full-service experiences or are travelling to destinations where private options may not be available.

Final Thoughts: A Rebalanced Travel Culture

The 2024 travel data paints a picture of a Greek population rebalancing its approach to leisure. With longer vacations, increased spending, and a preference for staying with loved ones or in familiar settings, Greek travellers appear to be prioritising quality time, emotional wellbeing, and personal connections over flashy or far-flung adventures.

As land transport continues to dominate and air travel rises sharply, infrastructure investments and travel policies will need to adapt to sustain this growing demand. And as family-centric and longer holidays gain popularity, the tourism industry—particularly rental accommodations and hospitality services—must remain flexible and attuned to these evolving preferences.

With overall growth across key metrics—more trips, longer stays, and higher spending—2024 was a strong year for Greek tourism. And if current trends continue, future travel seasons will likely see even more meaningful journeys rooted in togetherness, tradition, and the enduring Greek love of life.

Conclusion

The latest ELSTAT data reveals that Greek travellers in 2024 embraced longer, more meaningful breaks, often opting to stay with family and friends rather than in rented accommodations. With increases in the number of trips, overnight stays, and total spending, it’s clear that travel continues to be a valued part of Greek life. The preference for personal connections, comfort, and affordability—alongside a notable rise in air travel and use of private holiday homes—signals a shift toward deeper, more intentional travel experiences. As this trend grows, it offers valuable insights for tourism stakeholders, highlighting the need for flexible, family-oriented, and cost-effe

active travel options to meet the evolving preferences of Greek holidaymakers.

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Discover how Greek travellers in 2024 embraced longer personal trips, boosted spending, and favoured family stays over hotels, according to new data from ELSTAT.