Tourists are increasingly seeking less crowded destinations and unusual experiences, according to research.

Travel data analyst Mabrian and Greek tourism marketing strategy agency Mindhaus found there is a noticeable shift in demand as travelers looking for fewer crowds, cooler weather and good value for money.

Islands outside the traditional cruise routes in the northern Aegean are gaining popularity. Lesvos showed the largest year-on-year increase in visitors at 78.8%. It is the third largest island of Greece, consisting of desert plains, salt marshes, forested mountains and olive groves.

Chios, also in the North Aegean Sea, showed an annual growth of 65.2%. The islands of Samos, Skopelos and Skiathos are also gaining popularity.

This is a positive sign of future tourism trends in Greece. “The demand to explore destinations that are considered less busy or dense in terms of visitation can help improve tourism sustainability by distributing tourism benefits throughout the country,” said Carlos Sendra, director of marketing and communications at Mabrian.

The researchers also found that an increasing number of visitors cited outdoor activities as their main reason for visiting Greece. This motivated 21.1% of global travelers surveyed, up 12.1 percentage points from 2019.

Source: travelnews.co.za

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