Greece receives boost in international arrivals
Although domestic tourism remains at a standstill, international arrivals to Greece and tourism revenue have lifted since the beginning of the year.
Tourism revenue in Greece has risen 38.5 percent and foreign arrivals have increased by 24 percent in the year to May 2013, The Agence France-Presse reported.
Germans, Britons, Russians and French make up the majority of tourists visiting Greece.
Recent political stability, lower prices due to the economic crisis and the cancellation of tourist holidays to Turkey and Tunisia assisted Greece in raising foreign visitor arrivals.
Despite the boost in overseas visitors, Greece?s second-tier destinations are more deserted than ever.
?The most popular destinations are the ones benefitting the most from this rise, such as Mykonos, Rhodes, the Cycladic islands,? Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) boss Andreas Andreadis said.
The number of international visitors is expected to pass 17 million in 2013.
An investigation by the financial crimes unit (SDOE) has confirmed that it will take more than a revived tourist market to repair Greece?s overly-damaged economy.
The SDOE inquiry revealed that approximately half of the country?s one million hotels, restaurants and beaches which were inspected over the past year have been evading tax repayments.
Three quarters of the businesses on the tourist islands of Rhodes and Santorini were fined.