Airbnb Stays Soar in Greece for 2024: A Strong Recovery and Growth Across Key Regions

Greece’s short-term rental market is experiencing a robust resurgence in 2024, with Airbnb bookings reaching new heights compared to previous years. According to fresh data released by ELSTAT, the country’s official statistics authority, the number of rental days booked through digital platforms has surged significantly, reflecting renewed traveler confidence and a booming tourism sector.

A Post-Pandemic Comeback

After a sharp decline between 2019 and 2020 — when the pandemic hammered the hospitality industry — Greece’s short-term rental market has bounced back steadily. In 2019, around 977,300 rental declarations were made, with approximately 3.77 million rental days recorded. The following year, these figures plunged by nearly 59% and 53.7% respectively.

However, from 2021 onwards, the sector began to recover, accelerating into 2024. This year, the number of rental declarations has reached 2.31 million, with a staggering 8.19 million rental days booked. This represents an increase of 20.6% in declarations and 14.4% in rental days compared to 2023.

Domestic vs. International Guests

Breaking down the data further, rental days from domestic travelers grew by 9.4%, while foreign tourists increased their stays by an impressive 15.4% compared to last year. Despite this surge, the average length of stay per booking slightly decreased to 3.5 days in 2024, down from 3.7 days in 2023.

Seasonality and Regional Hotspots

The peak travel months continue to be June through October, accounting for nearly 61% of all rental days. August stands out as the busiest month, alone representing 18.8% of the total rental activity — a testament to Greece’s enduring appeal as a summer destination.

Regionally, the greatest concentration of short-term rental properties is found in Attica, the South Aegean, Crete, and Central Macedonia. When it comes to growth in rental days, Attica leads with a 14.4% increase, followed by Central Macedonia at 19.5%, and Crete at 9.3%. Together, these regions contribute the majority of rental days in 2024 — with Attica accounting for 36%, Central Macedonia 13.8%, and Crete 12.1%.

Foreign Visitors Dominate Rental Activity

Foreign travelers dominate the short-term rental market, making up 84.2% of all rental days in 2024. This strong international demand highlights Greece’s continued attractiveness on the global tourism map and signals promising prospects for the local economy and hospitality sector.

Source: pagenews.gr