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Greece, nestled at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, is a hub of activity for outbound travel, significantly bolstered by its extensive and diverse transportation infrastructure. The nation’s geographical setting, with its rugged terrain, has historically posed challenges to internal mobility. However, its extensive coastlines and strategic maritime and air connections facilitate broad international access. With visa-free entry to 188 countries as of August 2024, including Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA, Schengen, and Gulf nations, Greece is surging in the tourism industry, further enhancing its appeal as a prime travel destination.
TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan says: “With visa-free entry to 188 countries as of August 2024, including Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA, Schengen, and Gulf nations, Greece is surging in the outbound travel sector. This accessibility enhances Greece’s appeal as a prime base for international travel, facilitating a significant increase in the number of Greek residents exploring global destinations.”
Tourism and Outbound Travel
In 2023, Greece witnessed a notable 26% increase in outbound travel, with Greek residents making 4.5 million trips abroad, accounting for nearly US$2.6 billion in international tourism expenditures. Italy was the primary beneficiary, receiving about 273 million euros from Greek tourists, reflecting a growth that exceeded both previous year’s figures and pre-pandemic levels. Germany and the United Kingdom were also popular destinations, with expenditures amounting to around 244 million euros and 201 million euros, respectively.
The vibrant outbound travel scene is supported by Greece’s extensive network of over 2,000 islands, approximately 170 of which are inhabited. The ease of access to diverse destinations, including those a mere stone’s throw from the Turkish coast, enriches the Greek travel landscape.
Economic Implications
The economic landscape of Greece, as reflected through its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stood at $377 billion in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms by the end of 2023. However, assessments by World Economics suggest a higher GDP of $479 billion, accounting for the informal economy and adjustments for dated GDP data, indicating a 27% variance from official figures.
Visa free Countries list:-
Albania
American Samoa (ETA)
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia (ETA)
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain (VOA)
Bangladesh (VOA)
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia
Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso (VOA)
Burundi (VOA)
Cambodia (VOA)
Canada (ETA)
Cape Verde Islands
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Comoro Islands (VOA)
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Djibouti (VOA)
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt (VOA)
El Salvador
Estonia
eSwatini
Ethiopia (VOA)
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French West Indies
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guam (ETA)
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau (VOA)
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia (VOA)
Iran (VOA)
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan (VOA)
Kazakhstan
Kenya (ETA)
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait (VOA)
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon (VOA)
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao (SAR China)
Madagascar
Malawi (VOA)
Malaysia
Maldives (VOA)
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania (VOA)
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique (VOA)
Myanmar (VOA)
Namibia (VOA)
Nepal (VOA)
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand (ETA)
Nicaragua
Niue
North Macedonia
Northern Mariana Islands (ETA)
Norway
Oman
Palau Islands
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico (ETA)
Qatar (VOA)
Reunion
Romania
Rwanda
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia (VOA)
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles (VOA)
Sierra Leone (VOA)
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia (VOA)
South Africa
South Korea (ETA)
Spain
Sri Lanka (ETA)
St. Helena (VOA)
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
Tajikistan
Tanzania (VOA)
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States (ETA)
Uruguay
US Virgin Islands (ETA)
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe (VOA)
Transportation Modalities
Greece’s approach to international travel encompasses various transportation methods, including buses, trains, boats, and primarily air travel. In 2018, air travel was the most favored mode, with approximately 595,000 international departures indicating a strong preference for flights among Greek travelers.
Maritime and Air Gateways
Piraeus Port, Greece’s busiest, acts as a crucial node for both outbound and inbound travel, facilitating the annual movement of over 20 million passengers and handling significant cargo volumes, including diverse imports and exports ranging from industrial products to agricultural goods.
Key airports like Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos,” Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis,” and Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia,” along with Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras,” significantly bolster Greece’s connectivity. These airports not only serve as primary gateways for numerous travelers but also celebrate Greece’s rich cultural heritage and historical figures through their namesakes.
Leading Airlines
Aegean Airlines, as Greece’s largest airline and a Star Alliance member, alongside regional carrier Sky Express and the state-owned Olympic Air, form the backbone of the domestic and international air travel industry in Greece. These carriers facilitate extensive connectivity across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, underscoring the dynamic nature of Greek air travel and its role in global mobility.
In conclusion, Greece’s outbound tourism sector is a vibrant component of its economy, supported by a robust transportation network that facilitates wide-ranging access to international destinations. This network not only drives economic growth but also enhances Greece’s position as a global tourist hub, offering myriad travel opportunities for its residents.
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