In an international environment of increased uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the pressure on energy prices and the highest cost of aviation affecting travel decisions, Greek tourism continues to shows resistance.
However, the positive image is not evenly distributed to all destinations.
Changes in air connections, dependence on specific markets, the purchasing power of visitors and the sense of security form a multi-speed tourist map.
At different paces, the Greek destinations are moving in 2026, despite the overall upward trend of incoming air traffic, according to the June statistical bulletin of INSETE. In the first half, 10,698 million international arrivals were recorded at the main airports in the country, compared with 10,302 million in the corresponding period of 2025. The increase rose to about 396,000 passengers or 3.8%, with some areas greatly strengthening their position and others showing stagnation or losses.
Athens remained far the largest entry gate, with 3,822 million international arrivals, but moved marginally below the 3,823 million in 2025. The substantial stagnation of the capital is of particular importance, as in June its arrivals decreased by 6.3%, to 961.183.
In Thessaloniki, on the contrary, 1,236 million arrivals were recorded, increased by 5.6%, while only in June reached 307,057, rising 10%.
Tourism in Crete and Ionian Islands is strengthened
Crete emerged as one of the great winners. Heraklion welcomed 1.463 million passengers from abroad, increased by 7.1%, while Chania reached 615.939 arrivals, presenting a strong rise of 13.2%. Overall, the two airports of Crete gathered around 2.08 million international arrivals, 168,000 more than last year.
In the Dodecanese, Rhodes maintained a positive mark, with 1,089 million arrivals and an increase of 3.1%. Kos, however, moved on the contrary, retreating by 2%, at 442,991 arrivals, from 452,131 in 2025. Karpathos noted an increase of 14.4%, but on a much smaller basis, with 29,091 arrivals. Overall arrivals in the Dodecanese amounted to 1,561,096 versus 1,534.256 last year, rising 1.7%.
The image of the Ionian Islands was strong. Corfu recorded 727,422 arrivals, increased by 9,3%, while Zakynthos reached 359,988, with an increase of 4,9%. Kefalonia welcomed 128,421 travelers, increased by 6%, and Actium 141.452, rising 6.9%. In total, Ionian airports attracted some 1.36 million international visitors, nearly 95,000 more than the first half of 2025.
In the Cyclades, Mykonos showed a clear recovery, with 157,057 international arrivals, increased by 13,2%. Santorini moved more moderately, with 192,798 arrivals and rise just 2%. Overall, the two destinations gathered nearly 350,000 foreign arrivals, compared to about 328,000 last year.
Samos recorded the largest percentage increase between the main destinations, with a 27.3% rise and 54,398 international arrivals. Also positively moved Skiathos, with 96,023 arrivals and 12% increase, Kalamata with a 61,332 rise of 10%, as well as Mytilene with 26,646 arrivals, increased by 5.8%.
On the contrary, Kavala presented the largest drop, by 16.2%, with arrivals limited to 31,664, from 37,807 in 2025. Araxos retreated 12%, at 22,141 arrivals, while Kos performance was negative.
The evidence shows that the rise of Greek tourism is not evenly distributed. Crete and the Ionian Islands expand their dynamics, while smaller destinations, such as Samos and Skiathos, earn impressive percentages.
At the same time, the Greek capital records a stagnation in the arrivals that I am talking about in volume affects the image of Greek tourism as a whole.
Source: OT
