Greece is Surging Tourism Industry with Visa Free Entry to 188 countries Including USA, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Indonesia, Schengen and Gulf Nations – Travel And Tour World

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Greece, nestled at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, is a hub of activity for outbound travel, significantly bolstered by its extensive and diverse transportation infrastructure. The nation’s geographical setting, with its rugged terrain, has historically posed challenges to internal mobility. However, its extensive coastlines and strategic maritime and air connections facilitate broad international access. With visa-free entry to 188 countries as of August 2024, including Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA, Schengen, and Gulf nations, Greece is surging in the tourism industry, further enhancing its appeal as a prime travel destination.

TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan says: “With visa-free entry to 188 countries as of August 2024, including Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA, Schengen, and Gulf nations, Greece is surging in the outbound travel sector. This accessibility enhances Greece’s appeal as a prime base for international travel, facilitating a significant increase in the number of Greek residents exploring global destinations.”

Tourism and Outbound Travel

In 2023, Greece witnessed a notable 26% increase in outbound travel, with Greek residents making 4.5 million trips abroad, accounting for nearly US$2.6 billion in international tourism expenditures. Italy was the primary beneficiary, receiving about 273 million euros from Greek tourists, reflecting a growth that exceeded both previous year’s figures and pre-pandemic levels. Germany and the United Kingdom were also popular destinations, with expenditures amounting to around 244 million euros and 201 million euros, respectively.

The vibrant outbound travel scene is supported by Greece’s extensive network of over 2,000 islands, approximately 170 of which are inhabited. The ease of access to diverse destinations, including those a mere stone’s throw from the Turkish coast, enriches the Greek travel landscape.

Economic Implications

The economic landscape of Greece, as reflected through its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stood at $377 billion in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms by the end of 2023. However, assessments by World Economics suggest a higher GDP of $479 billion, accounting for the informal economy and adjustments for dated GDP data, indicating a 27% variance from official figures.

Visa free Countries list:-

• Albania
• American Samoa (ETA)
• Andorra
• Angola
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Australia (ETA)
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Bahrain (VOA)
• Bangladesh (VOA)
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Burkina Faso (VOA)
• Burundi (VOA)
• Cambodia (VOA)
• Canada (ETA)
• Cape Verde Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• Colombia
• Comoro Islands (VOA)
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Djibouti (VOA)
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt (VOA)
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• eSwatini
• Ethiopia (VOA)
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French West Indies
• Georgia
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Guam (ETA)
• Guatemala
• Guinea-Bissau (VOA)
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Hong Kong (SAR China)
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia (VOA)
• Iran (VOA)
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jordan (VOA)
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya (ETA)
• Kiribati
• Kosovo
• Kuwait (VOA)
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Latvia
• Lebanon (VOA)
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao (SAR China)
• Madagascar
• Malawi (VOA)
• Malaysia
• Maldives (VOA)
• Malta
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania (VOA)
• Mauritius
• Mayotte
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Montserrat
• Morocco
• Mozambique (VOA)
• Myanmar (VOA)
• Namibia (VOA)
• Nepal (VOA)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand (ETA)
• Nicaragua
• Niue
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands (ETA)
• Norway
• Oman
• Palau Islands
• Palestinian Territory
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico (ETA)
• Qatar (VOA)
• Reunion
• Romania
• Rwanda
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia (VOA)
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles (VOA)
• Sierra Leone (VOA)
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia (VOA)
• South Africa
• South Korea (ETA)
• Spain
• Sri Lanka (ETA)
• St. Helena (VOA)
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Maarten
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania (VOA)
• Thailand
• The Gambia
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Türkiye
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States (ETA)
• Uruguay
• US Virgin Islands (ETA)
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe (VOA)

Transportation Modalities

Greece’s approach to international travel encompasses various transportation methods, including buses, trains, boats, and primarily air travel. In 2018, air travel was the most favored mode, with approximately 595,000 international departures indicating a strong preference for flights among Greek travelers.

Maritime and Air Gateways

Piraeus Port, Greece’s busiest, acts as a crucial node for both outbound and inbound travel, facilitating the annual movement of over 20 million passengers and handling significant cargo volumes, including diverse imports and exports ranging from industrial products to agricultural goods.

Key airports like Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos,” Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis,” and Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia,” along with Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras,” significantly bolster Greece’s connectivity. These airports not only serve as primary gateways for numerous travelers but also celebrate Greece’s rich cultural heritage and historical figures through their namesakes.

Leading Airlines

Aegean Airlines, as Greece’s largest airline and a Star Alliance member, alongside regional carrier Sky Express and the state-owned Olympic Air, form the backbone of the domestic and international air travel industry in Greece. These carriers facilitate extensive connectivity across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, underscoring the dynamic nature of Greek air travel and its role in global mobility.

In conclusion, Greece’s outbound tourism sector is a vibrant component of its economy, supported by a robust transportation network that facilitates wide-ranging access to international destinations. This network not only drives economic growth but also enhances Greece’s position as a global tourist hub, offering myriad travel opportunities for its residents.