Greece Travel Awards 2025

Greece's Travel Industry Overview

Greece is one of the world's most iconic travel destinations, welcoming over 32 million international visitors annually and generating tourism revenues that contribute approximately 25% of GDP — one of the highest tourism dependency ratios of any developed economy. The country's extraordinary combination of ancient civilisation heritage, 6,000 islands and islets, crystal-clear Aegean waters, Mediterranean cuisine, and genuinely warm Greek hospitality (philoxenia) creates a tourism proposition of incomparable richness.

Santorini, the caldera island formed by one of history's greatest volcanic eruptions, is arguably the world's most photographed destination — its white-washed cave houses, blue-domed churches, and spectacular sunset views over the submerged volcanic crater have become global icons of romantic travel. Luxury cave hotels including Katikies Hotel, Canaves Oia Suites, Vedema Resort, and Mystique (Luxury Collection) deliver infinity pool views over the caldera that are among the world's most extraordinary hotel experiences.

Mykonos has evolved into Europe's most glamorous island destination for the ultra-high-net-worth traveller, combining world-class beach clubs (Scorpios, Nammos, Aleamagou), designer fashion boutiques, extraordinary nightlife, and a rapidly maturing luxury hotel market. Cavo Tagoo, Katikies Mykonos, Santa Marina Resort, and Myconian Collection properties compete for a discerning international clientele that includes Hollywood celebrities, tech billionaires, and global fashion royalty. Athens, the cradle of Western civilisation, offers a rapidly improving luxury hotel market anchored by the Grande Bretagne Hotel (one of Europe's most storied grand hotels overlooking Syntagma Square), the Hotel Grande Bretagne, Hotel Negresco, and the new Aman Athens in a converted neoclassical building near the Acropolis.

Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos, and dozens of smaller Greek islands complete an extraordinary tourism portfolio. Crete's luxury resort market — including Amirandes, Daios Cove, and Elounda Beach Hotel — positions the island as a premium beach destination with outstanding culinary and cultural depth. Greek Airlines connectivity from Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki has been improved by the growing Aegean Airlines network. Greece's extraordinary combination of ancient heritage, island paradise, and warm Mediterranean hospitality makes it one of the world's most enduringly beloved travel destinations.