Greece consolidates its position among the top and most attractive destinations for European travelers, occupying fourth place in the European ranking of the top 10 countries. Greece’s strong appeal is reflected in a pan-European survey, which records the intentions and planning of consumers for the summer and fall tourism season.

The data shows that demand for the Mediterranean and Southern Europe remains high, with Greece being a pillar of this momentum, attracting the steady interest of tourists seeking sun, sea and cultural experiences, at a time when the general travel sentiment in Europe is on the rise.

These conclusions emerge from the “Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel” survey, which is the 25th edition of the series of the European Travel Commission (ETC) and was conducted May 16-30, collecting responses from 6,076 people in 10 key European markets: Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland and Austria.

Focusing on travel plans for the period up to November 2026, the study reveals that 81% of Europeans intend to travel, recording an annual increase of 4% compared to last year. The preference for travel within Europe remains dominant at 64%, while 26% plan to travel within their country of residence.

When choosing a final destination, European travelers weigh a number of factors, with safety emerging as the most important factor in their decision-making process.

Specifically, 20% of respondents consider the safety of the destination as their primary criterion. Immediately after, pleasant and stable weather is the next main criterion for 15% of travelers, a parameter that traditionally favors Southern European countries, which see interest in their region increase to 61%.

Offers determine the choice of 14% of consumers, while low travel costs influence 12% of the sample, as well as the hospitality of the locals and avoiding crowds (11% and 10%, respectively).

Regarding the type of vacation, “sun and sea” tourism remains the undisputed top choice for 30% of the survey participants, which explains why Greece remains at the top of the list of preferences, while nature getaways and city visits follow.

Source: Ekathimerini.com