German media network Deutche Welle (DT) predicts a 6 per cent growth in Greek tourism for 2016, despite the dire economic conditions the country is facing and the refugee crisis. DT points out that this rise will not include the islands in the north Aegean which have been affected most by the the arrival of large numbers of refugees and illegal immigrants. Greek officials echoed the optimism on the Greek tourism industry expressed by German tourism agents at the Berlin International Tourism Exhibition stressing the the of foreign visitors entering Greece this year is expected to increase.

George Tsakiris, President of the Greek Chamber of Hotels summed up the situation to DT underlining that there was a notable decline in Greece and that areas receiving refugees and illegal immigrants were still feeling the effects. On his part, President of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) Andreas Andreadis estimates Greece could reach 25 million arrivals min 2016, an increase of 1.5 million visitors compared to 2015.

Until January the sense of uncertainty as a result of the refugee crisis had a negative impact on reservations from abroad, but once it became clear that the situation was under control bookings from Germany started to rise again. Andraedis stressed that complacency is not helpful, adding that in order to achieve sustainable growth in the industry the assessment by the EU institutions of the progress of the Greek economic program must be completed.

The islands of Kos, Lesvos, Samos and Chios, which have bore the brunt of the refugee crisis are exceptions to the positive signs for the industry. According to official estimates these islands have seen a dramatic drop in reservations ranging from 25 per cent up to 70 per cent. In an effort to prop up the wavering north Aegean tourist industry Greek Minister for Tourism Elena Kountoura announced the initiation of measures as part of a program called to familiarise tour operators and travel journalists with the areas.