Americans Keep the Momentum Going for Greek Tourism

The United States continues to be the most dynamic international market for Greek tourism in 2025, helping the country maintain strong momentum in a year where overall expectations remain cautious.

With a record 103 direct weekly flights this summer — more than ever before — and the highest increase in tourism receipts among Greece’s top five source markets (Germany, the UK, France, and Italy), American travelers are proving to be a pillar of strength for the Greek tourism economy.

US Travel Spending Hits €704 Million in H1 2025 — Up 29.4%

According to data from the Bank of Greece, tourism revenue from the US surged to €704 million in the first half of 2025, up +29.4% compared to the same period in 2024 (€544 million).

• In June alone, receipts from US visitors skyrocketed by +65%, reaching €247 million.
• The average spend per American traveler reached €623, up from €565 in H1 2024 — reinforcing the high value of this long-haul market.

This makes the United States the strongest-performing source market for Greece in 2025, outpacing all other major European inbound markets.

Modest Industry Expectations, but US Market Exceeds Forecasts

While Greek tourism officials have stated they would be satisfied if 2025 closed at similar levels to the record-breaking €21.6 billion in revenue from 2024, the strong performance of the US market is helping to raise expectations — even amid uncertainties surrounding the high season (July–August).

In total:

• Inbound tourism receipts rose +11% year-on-year, reaching €7.66 billion in H1 2025.
• June receipts alone stood at €3.3 billion, up +8.8%.
• Visitor arrivals decreased slightly by -1.7% in June, but showed a +0.6% increase over the January–June period, reaching 11.69 million international travelers.

Air Connectivity and the Greek Diaspora: Driving Forces Behind Growth

A key factor in this momentum is robust air connectivity between Greece and the US. This year marks the first time that direct weekly flights from the US to Greece exceeded 100, significantly boosting accessibility.

The Greek-American diaspora also plays a critical role in sustaining this growth, providing consistent demand and supporting new routes even during periods of global travel volatility.

American Airlines to Launch New Dallas-Athens Route in 2026

Adding to the positive outlook, American Airlines recently announced a fifth daily direct route to Athens starting May 2026, this time from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The new connection is already available in booking systems as of August 11, 2025.

Officials at Athens International Airport hailed the development as a major boost to the capital’s connectivity with the US market.

Greece Outperforms Other EU Destinations in US Demand

Notably, while other European destinations have seen a slowdown in US visitor numbers, Greece stands out by posting double-digit growth rates in both arrivals and revenues from the American market.

This solidifies the country’s positioning as a premium European destination for long-haul travelers with high spending power.

 US Market Becomes Greece’s Strategic Tourism Asset

While the broader summer season is still unfolding, the data from H1 2025 clearly shows that American travelers are becoming a strategic pillar of Greek tourism — both in terms of volume and value.

If the current momentum continues, the US market could be the decisive factor that allows Greece to match or exceedits all-time tourism revenue record from 2024.

Source: pagenews.gr