Overview

• EU figures show nearly half of Greeks could not afford a one‑week holiday last year, the second‑highest rate in the bloc after Romania.
• Industry estimates project foreign arrivals this year at up to four times Greece’s 10 million population, with tourism directly supplying about 12% of national output.
• A shift toward luxury resorts on islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Paros has squeezed out budget guesthouses and campsites that once served domestic travelers.
• A six‑day island trip for a family of four now costs about €3,500, while average monthly income barely tops €1,000, according to Greece’s Consumer Protection Institute.
• Many residents are opting for day trips, bringing their own food and umbrellas, using buses instead of ferries or flights, and some tourism workers say they cannot take summer breaks as businesses stay open to serve visitors.