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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Tourist numbers in Greece decrease – industry body
FLASHBACK: Tourists frolic on a beach near Palea Fokea, south of Athens, in summer 2007.
Greece is among European countries whose tourism figures are on the slide, going by figures recently released by the Athens-based Association of Tourism Enterprises.
The association, known as SETE, said that tourist arrivals declined by 8.1 per cent in the seven months to the end of July 2009.
SETE said that in January to July 2008, a total of 6.4 million foreign visitors arrived at Greek airports, but the figure for the equivalent period this year was 5.9 million.
There was a slight upswing as the traditional July summer season warmed up figures, changing the rate of decline, which to the end of June was 9.6 per cent.
In response to lowered expectations for the season, the hospitality industry was cutting prices, but in turn this also lowered profits, the association said. Rhodes and Crete are among traditionally popular tourist destinations that had offered lower-price packages.
Bulgarian news agency Focus, quoting Zugla on August 16 2009, said that Halkidiki and Crete were facing one of their worst years for tourism.
"Luxury hotels, proposing all inclusive services to Russian, German, English and US tourists are empty. The situation in restaurants and shops is the same," the report said.
However, an influx of Bulgarian visitors – an increasing number of Bulgarians prefer spending their summer holidays in Greece or Turkey rather than on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast – had "saved" the tourist season at Thassos and Kavala.
The association, known as SETE, said that tourist arrivals declined by 8.1 per cent in the seven months to the end of July 2009.
SETE said that in January to July 2008, a total of 6.4 million foreign visitors arrived at Greek airports, but the figure for the equivalent period this year was 5.9 million.
There was a slight upswing as the traditional July summer season warmed up figures, changing the rate of decline, which to the end of June was 9.6 per cent.
In response to lowered expectations for the season, the hospitality industry was cutting prices, but in turn this also lowered profits, the association said. Rhodes and Crete are among traditionally popular tourist destinations that had offered lower-price packages.
Bulgarian news agency Focus, quoting Zugla on August 16 2009, said that Halkidiki and Crete were facing one of their worst years for tourism.
"Luxury hotels, proposing all inclusive services to Russian, German, English and US tourists are empty. The situation in restaurants and shops is the same," the report said.
However, an influx of Bulgarian visitors – an increasing number of Bulgarians prefer spending their summer holidays in Greece or Turkey rather than on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast – had "saved" the tourist season at Thassos and Kavala.
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Foreign visits to Bulgaria in July 2009 dropped 5.8 per cent year-on-year
Meanwhile, July 2009 saw the number of visits abroad by Bulgaria increase, with a huge increase in travel to Greece, according to the National Statistics Institute
Drastic decline in tourism in Bulgaria's capital
Poor customer service, establishments operating with false accreditations and the economic crunch are all to blame, according to a municipal report
Dry season
Pessimism and price cuts as holiday bookings for August drift into the doldrums
Bulgarians idle away summer on foreign beaches again
The industry blamed the trend on lucrative offers available in neighbouring Turkey combined with poor infrastructure and bad service at home.
Foreign tourist numbers decline
The number of foreign tourists that visited Bulgaria from January to May 2009 is 7.6 per cent less than in the same period last year, and revenue has dropped too, according to the State Agency for Tourism.
More in this category
Cautionary tales as tour groups caught in the middle of money rows
Foreign and Bulgarian tourists victim of debt row at a Pamporovo hotel, Foreign Ministry intervenes after another tour group delayed in Morocco, and Bulgarian arrested in Serbia for forging receipts for payment for tour group.
Bulgaria to spend 4.2M leva on tourism fairs in 2012
The country will withdraw from participation in some international tourist expos but will join others to promote itself as a tourist destination.
Ski runs on Vitosha Mountain to shut down
Management company says current legislation makes it impossible to run the ski lifts legally.
Varna ranks second by overnight stays in Q3 2011
The municipality accounted for 26.8 per cent of the total number of overnights in the quarter and generated 30.5 per cent of the country's revenue from accommodation services.
Bulgarians' trips abroad rise 20.9% Y/Y in Q3 2011
In July-September, a total of 1.522 million Bulgarians travelled abroad or in the country.
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USA......no1......terrorist.......................
america wants to vanish Islam, this is the reason that it blamed and attacked Afghanistan and Iraq. And now america is trying to attack on Pakistan and Iran. AMERICA is danger for the world peace. amercan weapons are for destroying not for peace.
to Chech tourist
are you sure Chech or turko boulgar?
argument about subsidies come from such jealous people.
P.S. our subsidies go to military to protect Europe from filthy Asian invaders.
I just came back from Greece, went to both Crete and Rodos, with one night in Athens. Can't say they were awful people, actually they were pretty normal, even in Athens, several of them were friendly helpful and very talkative. I had a great time and never felt like I was staying in a Disney land commercialized resort, stayed in all family owned hotels, where the service isn't 100% perfect, but warm and comfortable, didn't have that "fake" commercialized resort service feeling in either hotels. Great thing about the Greek Islands, was able to walk around at any hour of [...]
Read the full comment the night without any fear. This was my 3rd vacation to Greece, I'd go again, would like to spend more than one night in Athens though at the end of the trip, seeing how easy it is to now take the Metro to the Airport.
Greece has better sea water and it is probably al. Greeks are awfull people, super- laizy even compared to Balkans standards and service is from bad to worst. Greece would be a nice holiday destinations - if Greeks at the coast are re-place by any other Europeans. We, European taxpayers shall stop to subsidy Greeks : Greece will return to their Drachma and prices will be 70% lower
Yet their tourist #'s declined more than BG...
See, with BG in never ends. No sooner the summer is over, and the ski season starts...
I am telling you, we need to impose quota for tourists.. it beginning to look like Disneyland, save all the fatties one sees there....
I have experienced first hand the brutality of Greek police towards Bulgarians - it is not pleasant especially near Serres!! Beware. However although most beaches dont charge for chairs or sun shades a coffee for 3 to 4 euro is a bit steep and more than last year. I didnt experience any price reductions in shops cafes or restaurants only increases and well above normal inflation levels (3years ago I paid 1.75E for a coffee). If you want peaceful empty beaches go to Greece. If you want a bit of fun go to the Black sea
The Greek authorities might encourage the traffic and imigration police not to stop every Bulgarian car entering Greece, who then either fine or interrogate the drivers. This might in part improve their tourist numbers, by removing the absurd intimidation Bulgarians have to experience, on their way to their holiday in the sun!
The reason for Bulgarians going to Greece is because the service is far better.The beaches and towns are cleaner with a better infrastructure. (That says it all)