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According to data released by Greek ferry booking platform Ferryscanner, reservations made between January 1 and July 28 for travel between June and September show Turkish bookings have increased by 53.9% compared with the same period last year.<\/p>\n
The surge follows the introduction of a visa-on-arrival scheme allowing Turkish citizens easier access to 12 Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, significantly boosting short-haul tourism between the two neighbouring countries. Although Turkey ranks 12th overall in total booking volume, it recorded by far the strongest year-on-year growth among the top 15 source markets.<\/p>\n
Italy remains Greece\u2019s largest ferry tourism market, with bookings up 13.8%, followed by the United Kingdom, France, Australia and the United States. French travellers increased their bookings by 6.9%, while American visitors rose by 5.4%.<\/p>\n
The United Kingdom, despite remaining one of Greece\u2019s largest tourism markets, recorded an 11.1% decline in bookings. Australia saw the sharpest fall among the top five markets, dropping 17.9%. Analysts attributed much of the decline in long-haul travel demand to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East from March onwards, which disrupted international travel plans.<\/p>\n
While the Cyclades remain Greece\u2019s most popular island group, travel preferences are shifting.<\/p>\n
Popular destinations including Paros, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini and Ios continue to attract the largest number of visitors, but Santorini has experienced declines across all major tourism markets.<\/p>\n
Australian bookings to Santorini fell by 31.6%, the largest decline among the major markets, followed by the United Kingdom (-25.8%), Italy (-21.4%), France (-16.6%) and the United States (-14.5%).<\/p>\n
Other Greek islands, however, are enjoying significant growth.<\/p>\n
Italian travellers are increasingly choosing Skiathos, where bookings have surged by 81.4%, while Kos and Sifnos have also recorded strong gains. French visitors are showing greater interest in Naxos, Mykonos, Syros and Tinos, while American tourists are increasingly discovering Aegina and Hydra, where bookings have risen by 35.4% and 34.1% respectively.<\/p>\n
Milos continues to be one of the most popular destinations among Australian, French and American travellers, while Sifnos is emerging as a favourite among British and French visitors.<\/p>\n
The latest figures suggest that Greece\u2019s island tourism market is becoming increasingly diversified, with travellers looking beyond traditional hotspots and embracing a wider range of destinations across the Aegean.<\/p>\n