Tourists are returning to Greece in droves despite fears for capital controls and anti-austerity protests that are undermining the cash-strapped country’s economy. Hotel bookings may have suffered early in summer when the country teetered on the brink of default, however tour operators and airlines are now showing renewed vigor for Greece.
Institute of Greek Tourism Confederation Research Director Aris Ikkos said that Greece is weathering the crisis well. hotel bookings were down 20% in the last days of June and early July but they are now on a par or slightly more than last year’s levelss.
Tourism is still a main source of earnings for Greece, contributing to 9.5% of the gross domestic product in 2014 and as much as 45 billion euros in indirect benefits as tourists shop around Greece.