- Booking rates for Greece this season are growing at an impressive 6-7%.
- Crete and Rhodes are smashing records with double-digit growth in reservations.
- Santorini faces a surprising 20% drop but optimism remains for a late recovery.
- German tourists are driving much of the demand, with tour operators and airlines recording significant increases in bookings for Greece.
- Major players like TUI, DERTOUR, and Lufthansa are seeing soaring interest in Greek destinations.
- Expectations suggest Santorini’s decline could level out by the end of the season.
Crete and Rhodes: A Triumph in Double Digits
While it might sound cliché to claim islands like Crete and Rhodes are “stealing the show”, the numbers don’t lie. Both destinations are basking in a glow of popularity brighter than the Mediterranean sun itself, with double-digit growth in bookings. For the umpteenth year in a row, they remain favourites among European tourists, practically filling their beaches with enthusiastic travellers. Reports from the ITB tourism exhibition in Berlin highlight that interest from Germany, in particular, is turning into serious business, with demand hitting double figures.
Germany’s major players—TUI, DERTOUR, and Schauinsland Reisen—not to mention aircraft giants like Lufthansa and Condor, are all onboard, reporting healthy increases in bookings. If enthusiasm could be bottled, it would likely smell like the Aegean and come with a sunhat emblazoned with the word “Rhodes”.
Santorini’s Slide and a Glimmer of Hope
Santorini, usually the crown jewel in Greece’s tourism tiara, seems to be grappling with a thorny contender this season: a sharp 20% drop in bookings. The tumble has sent ripples through the tourism world, where expectations for this famous volcanic island are always sky-high. However, it’s not all doom and gloom—tourism insiders are channelling their inner optimist, forecasting that this gap will close once seismic activities subside. They’re banking on life—and holiday brochures—returning to “business as usual” before the season ends.
There’s hope that, by the final tally, any shortfall compared to 2024 will be negligible. This estimated rebound is partly thanks to Greece’s broad appeal and the ever-persistent charm of whitewashed houses suspended above the sparkling sea.
Quick Stats at a Glance
- Crete & Rhodes: Historic highs driven by double-digit rises.
- Santorini: A stumble at -20 %, but optimism prevails.
- German Market: Tour operators and airlines report surging interest in Greece.
- Season Outlook: Mixed results, but overall growth anticipated.
For a detailed breakdown of Greece’s booking surge and what’s capturing travellers’ attention this year, visit Greek Tourism 6-7% Growth in 2025.
As another summer approaches, Greece continues to sit high on the holiday bucket list. Whether it’s Crete and Rhodes smashing records or Santorini playing catch-up, one thing’s for sure—you can’t spell tourism without “Greek”. Or is that just clever marketing? Either way, the sun shows no sign of setting on this Mediterranean gem.