- Chania emerges victorious in tourist appeal.
- Mykonos continues to lose ground in visitor numbers.
- Significant passenger growth at the airports of Rhodes, Chania, and Corfu.
- Athens Airport experiences a surge in flights and travellers.
Mykonos Faces Decline in Tourism
In July, Mykonos Airport reported a 5.2% decrease in foreign passenger numbers, managing only 285,025 travellers compared to 300,753 in the same period in 2023. The island’s allure seems to be waning as high prices, primarily aimed at upscale tourists, drive visitors to other destinations, capital.gr observes. Even domestic travel at the airport fell by 0.8%, with 92,997 passengers, down from 93,768 last July.
The downward trend in Mykonos isn’t restricted to July. Over the year’s first seven months, international passengers totalled 544,650, down from 573,572 the previous year—a 5% drop. The domestic travel figures also mirrored last year’s total of 302,027 passengers.
The Steady Appeal of Santorini
Santorini’s tourism shows stability, with 795,643 international travellers in the first half of the year, similar to last year’s figures. July alone saw 341,442 international arrivals, maintaining previous levels.
Triumphant Destinations
Contrastingly, Rhodes, Chania, and Corfu have welcomed an influx of international visitors. In July, Rhodes Airport recorded 1.147 million visitors, an impressive 14% rise from last year. Across the first seven months, foreign passenger numbers rose by 16% to 3.131 million. Chania also saw a positive trend, with 621,723 foreign passengers in July, contributing to a seven-month total of 1.5 million.
Corfu Airport also thrived, serving over 2 million international passengers by mid-year, including 839,020 in July.
The Dynamic Rise of Athens
Athens remains a powerhouse in air travel, with flights increasing notably at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Anticipated record highs in both passenger numbers and flights suggest a robust demand for Greece’s tourism offerings. As the summer season commenced, Athens Airport saw daily flights averaging 850, up from 750 the previous year, marking an 11% rise.
During peak season, from mid-July through August, daily flights surged to 1,000, reaffirming Athens’ climb to new heights in the tourism sector.