Greek Prime Minister said Greece could still record a strong tourism season in 2026 despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while dismissing concerns that the country is suffering from overtourism.
Speaking at an event organized by the (SETE), Mitsotakis said the first months of 2026 had been “exceptional” for Greek tourism, although bookings had recently slowed amid instability in the Gulf region.
“I believe that if the good scenario pans out regarding the Middle East, we will see a surge in the willingness of our traditional visitors to travel to Greece,” Mitsotakis said.
Tourism is one of the pillars of the Greek economy, contributing heavily to GDP, employment and foreign currency inflows. Greece has repeatedly broken tourism records in recent years as travelers increasingly favored Mediterranean destinations following the pandemic.
Mitsotakis acknowledged that constant growth cannot be guaranteed every year, warning tourism operators against assuming endless record-breaking seasons.
“We must be aware that it is not always easy or possible to hit new records every year,” he said.
The Greek prime minister also suggested that Greece could benefit from declining tourist arrivals in parts of the Middle East, as travelers redirect summer bookings toward perceived safer Mediterranean destinations.
At the same time, Mitsotakis strongly rejected growing debate over the social and environmental impact of mass tourism, arguing that Greece remains overwhelmingly supportive of the sector.
“I reject the notion of overtourism,” he said. “Tourism is a main driver of the economy. We love tourism as a sector.”
The comments come as several major European destinations — including parts of Spain, Italy and Croatia — face increasing public debate over overcrowding, rising housing costs and pressure on local infrastructure linked to record tourism numbers.
Unlike some Western European tourism hotspots, Greece has largely avoided large-scale anti-tourism protests, although concerns have emerged in some islands over water shortages, rising real estate prices and seasonal infrastructure pressure.
Greek tourism has become increasingly important not only for Greece but also for the wider Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean economy, with regional competition intensifying among destinations such as Türkiye, Croatia, Albania and Montenegro.
The broader Mediterranean region remains Europe’s dominant tourism zone. According to recent European tourism data, Greece ranked among Europe’s top tourism destinations with more than 130 million international visitor nights, while Croatia recorded more than 85 million.
Analysts say geopolitical instability in competing destinations, expanding airline connectivity and demand for Mediterranean coastal tourism continue to favor countries in Southeast Europe.